Nationwide's Broadcasters

Serving Every Local Community

Univision Communications launched on January 22 new local news apps in seven markets: Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Chicago and San Francisco. The mobile apps provide breaking news notifications, weather forecasts and local programming.

“We are excited to kick off 2019 by providing our audience with the award-winning, hyper-local content that only Univision delivers in an ultra-accessible mobile format they can bring anywhere,” said Chris Peña, SVP of news for local media.

E.W. Scripps employees presented more than 80,000 new books to children across the country on January 23, National Reading Day, as part of the Scripps Howard Foundation’s annual “If you give a child a book …” childhood literacy campaign. As part of the campaign, ABC affiliate WXYZ and MyNewtworkTV affiliate WMYD Detroit, with a matching donation from the foundation, raised nearly $19,000 which will be used to purchase 7,500 books for local children. The Scripps Howard Foundation has distributed more than 180,000 books in three years.

Broadcasters honored on January 22 with duPont Awards for excellence in journalism include:

CBS-owned WFOR-TV Miami documentary “The Everglades: Where Politics, Money and Race Collide” explores environmental, political and social factors leading to contamination in the Everglades.

CBS News 60 Minutes / The Washington Post’s “The Whistleblower & Too Big to Prosecute” exposes a war within the DEA over the pharmaceutical industry’s role in the opioid epidemic.

TEGNA’s CBS affiliate WTSP and the Tampa Bay Times for the “Zombie Campaigns” investigation that combined computer-assisted reporting and storytelling to expose loopholes in federal campaign laws. The loopholes allow politicians continue using campaign funds after they leave office or die.

NBC-owned KNTV San Francisco for “Drivers Under Siege,” a local investigative series showing an increase in violent attacks on Bay Area bus drivers.

TEGNA recently launched a nationwide #CaliforniaGiving campaign. People can donate on station websites to assist wildfire relief efforts through a variety of nonprofits, including Jake’s Diapers, World Central Kitchen and California Fire Foundation.

Raycom Media’s InvestigateTV has released “Killing Pavel,” a documentary on investigative journalist Pavel Sheremet, who was killed in a car bombing two years ago. Sheremet was critical of authoritarian leadership in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Ukranian investigative unit Slidstvo.Info explored Sheremet’s death. They used surveillance video and forensic analysis to find new witnesses and uncover additional details, which were included in the award-winning documentary “Killing Pavel.”

All television stations owned by The E.W. Scripps Company will devote 100 minutes within their newscasts each week to political coverage, ranging from one-on-one candidate interviews to in-depth focus pieces.

Dispatch Broadcast Group’s WBNS-TV Columbus, Ohio and WTHR-TV Indianapolis, Indiana will devote extensive additional resources to enhance their coverage of the midterm elections. "It is our commitment to deliver expanded, multi-platform, political coverage to our communities we serve," said Dispatch Broadcast Group executives Larry Delia and John Cardenas

Entercom hosted on September 9 “I’m Listening,” a two-hour live, commercial-free broadcast special across all of its stations, to raise awareness around mental health and suicide prevention as part of its multi-platform “I’m Listening” campaign. Listeners could participate through a live call-in option and interactive website. On-air personality BJ Shea of KISW-FM Seattle hosted the special, which included medical experts, musicians and celebrities sharing personal stories.

Broadcasters were well prepared to provide wall-to-wall coverage of Hurricane Florence, which made landfall on the coast of North Carolina on September 14. The storm killed at least 23 people, with some areas receiving up to 30 inches of rain. Radio and television stations in the Carolinas ramped up coverage ahead of the storm, disseminating vital information around the clock.

Nearly one million more residents in the Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh areas of North Carolina tuned into local newscasts on broadcast TV stations the week Hurricane Florence approached the East Coast and made landfall in the Carolinas than the previous week, according to data from ratings measurement service Nielsen.

“These Nielsen ratings again highlight the critical ‘first informer’ role of local broadcasting during emergencies,” said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. “As we’ve seen time and again, communities across the country rely on their local radio and TV stations for timely and lifesaving information. We applaud broadcasters who were in the path of Hurricane Florence for their continuous efforts to inform listeners and viewers.”

Former FEMA administrator Craig Fugate tweeted: “Tracking #Florence? Keep a radio in your Disaster Kit. Why, you have cell phone right? Until cellular services goes out, happen to me during Hurricane #Irma. No power, no Wifi, no cellular data. Radio was my only source for news and updates.”

The Columbia Journalism Review highlighted the indispensable appeal of local weather reporters during the Hurricane Florence weather emergency, including several statements from local residents. Myrtle Beach resident Karen Goodwin evacuated with her eight-year-old granddaughter, who carried with her a WMBF kids’ hurricane tracker.

“We trust our local broadcasters because they’re a part of our community, they’re going through the storm, too,” said Goodwin. “They’re down-to-earth and tell it like it is.”

Graham Media Group announced on July 23 that news teams at five stations will significantly increase coverage leading up to gubernatorial and U.S. Senate and House races in Michigan, Florida, and Texas. Click here to see election coverage plans for NBC affiliates KPRC Houston, WDIV Detroit, CBS affiliate WKMG Orlando, ABC affiliate KSAT San Diego and owned-and-operated WJXT Jacksonville, Fla. “It is our responsibility at the local level to cover local, state and federal elections actively and comprehensively across all platforms,” said CEO Emily Barr.

Raycom announced on August 1 that all 50 Raycom markets would air "Licensed to Pill," the one-hour documentary exposing doctors who prescribe addictive opioids for their own profit.
Raycom’s National Investigative Team, led by Fox affiliate WVUE-TV New Orleans Investigative Reporter Lee Zurik, produced “Licensed to Pill,” a three-part series on high opioid prescribers nationwide. A week after the story aired, federal agents raided the Tennessee office of the nation’s top opioid prescriber.

“One law enforcement officer told us that our data analysis gave him a new roadmap to investigate doctors,” Zurik said.

The series was offered to all Raycom’s stations, with each part available in three different lengths. The creative services department at CBS affiliate WAFB-TV Baton Rouge also created a tool kit for the series that stations could use and customize. Findings include:

Ten percent of America’s top 1,000 prescribers of opioids to Medicare patients are sanctioned.

Family physicians, nurse practitioners and doctors whose specialties focus on non-narcotic therapies are some of the most prolific prescribers. Federal guidelines say they should not prescribe opioids.

Some wrote prescriptions for so many opioids that patient’s daily supply exceeded, on average, the number of days in a year.

Dozens of doctors sanctioned by a state medical board for excessive prescribing still hold active licenses.

Non-cancer doctors are prescribing dangerous fentanyl spray intended for cancer patients, while taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from a controversial drug maker.

Rincon Broadcasting’s KIST-FM and KSPE-FM raised almost $96,000 through their eight annual radiothon, held in mid-July. The event surpassed last year’s total by more than 21 percent. The money raised will help Cottage Children’s Health Center to open their renovated and expanded pediatrics hospital with a state-of-the-art design and equipment.

ABC News aired a special edition of “20/20” on July 10 to cover the rescue efforts of 12 boys and a coach who were stranded in caves in Thailand. Anchored by David Muir and Amy Robach, the hour-long program included interviews with classmates of the boys; Carl Henderson, an English teacher at a local school in the boys’ community; Nopparat Kanthawong, the boys’ head soccer coach; and Bill Whitehouse, Vice Chairman of the British Cave Rescue Council. The special also featured on-the-ground reporting from James Longman, Matt Gutman and Adrienne Bankert.

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) recently announced the winners of the 2018 Edward R. Murrow Awards, recognizing the best journalism produced by radio, television and digital news organizations. “Winning an RTDNA National Edward R. Murrow Award means that a news organization has provided exemplary public service to its viewers, listeners and readers. These honorees truly represent the very best in broadcast and digital journalism around the world,” said RTDNA Executive Director Dan Shelley.

CBS News received Overall Excellence awards in both the network radio and network television categories. Hubbard Radio’s WTOP-FM, Washington D.C. won its second consecutive Murrow for Overall Excellence in large market radio. Overall Excellence awards also went to Hearst’s NBC affiliate KCRA-TV Sacramento (large market) and Quincy’s NBC affiliate WREX-TV Rockford, Ill., (small market).

Raycom Media recently launched an OTT app, InvestigateTV, that is currently available on Roku and will be released to other digital streaming services soon. The app showcases longer-form reporting from Raycom Media and partners, including ProPublica, News21 at Arizona State University’s Cronkite School of Journalism, and NerdWallet. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation invested $188,000 into Pulitzer Prize-winning non-profit ProPublica’s collaboration on InvestigateTV.

“We know viewers are interested in meaningful investigations that dig deeper into issues they face in their everyday lives,” said Raycom President and CEO Pat LaPlatney. “We are thrilled to offer InvestigateTV, a place to highlight the tremendous efforts of our Raycom Media National Investigative Unit and our outstanding content partners. This gives us the ability to aggregate investigative materials, including stories that our local stations generate. Then it is bundled into one, easy, on-demand viewing experience.”

Hearst Television added a national investigative unit at the station group’s Washington, D.C., bureau on June 19. Investigative and political reporter Mark Albert leads the unit as Chief National Investigative Correspondent and is joined by Multimedia journalist and anchor Matt Prichard. They produce long-form investigative reports and contribute investigative insights to breaking news stories.

“Our primary focus has been and will continue to be localism -- but increasingly, in this connected world, our viewers look to their trusted news sources to provide national context. Our efforts in Washington will be designed to provide added resonance to the journalism in our local markets,” said Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb. “This latest step represents a firm commitment to coordinate and augment at the national level the award-winning investigative efforts our stations have been undertaking for decades at the local and regional levels.”

Four journalists have been selected for the initial class of the Scripps Howard Fellowship program, which runs from June 2018 - May 2019. The program is a partnership between the Scripps Washington Bureau; independent, nonprofit newsroom ProPublica; and Newsy, Scripps’ next-generation national news network. “Since our founding, the Scripps Howard Foundation has made it our mission to develop the next generation of leaders in journalism,” said Scripps Howard Foundation President and CEO Liz Carter.

TEGNA recently announced the first round of 2018 TEGNA Foundation Media Grants, supporting projects ranging from developing diversity in media to funding for immersive newsroom experiences for student journalists. Information on the awardees can be found here.

“Developing the next generation of journalists and leveling the playing field to strengthen our industry for the future are key priorities for us,” said TEGNA President and CEO Dave Lougee.

NBC-owned WNBC-TV New York City earned 15 regional Emmy Awards, including top Investigative Report for “The Rape Table: Extreme Hazing at Newark Airport.” “They follow the story wherever it leads, ask the questions our viewers want answered and generate change in our local communities,” said News Director Amy Morris.

Also, NBC-owned KXAS-TV Dallas won a Peabody Award for “Big Buses, Bigger Problems: Taxpayers Taken for a Ride.” KXAS exposed questionable real estate deals by the Dallas County Schools involving a school bus camera-system investment. The Texas government subsequently took action to address the extensive corruption and financial mismanagement that KXAS uncovered.

The Radio and Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has announced the 2018 Regional Award winners. The 54 investigative reporting winners include submissions for uncovering water contamination, holding local and federal agencies accountable for spending, and exposing sexual assault in statehouses and schools. Stations were also honored for their innovative use of video and fact-checking projects.

Upon asking viewers in all 38 of its television markets what they thought was the most underreported story, TEGNA created a six-part series that highlights the complex problem of child sex trafficking. Stories included crime data analysis, court records and scrutinization of the sometimes-inconsistent sentencing guidelines carried out by lawmakers. All TEGNA news operations across the country produced investigations on how child sex trafficking was affecting their local community. The series is now being used for education and training by organizations such as the U.S. State Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, The United Way, the Jimmy Carter Center, and the South Carolina Air National Guard, as well as several schools and individual professors.

Univision Radio raised $4.3 million in 14 markets for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the “Promesa y Esperanza” (Promise and Hope) event, held February 1-2. Thanks to events such as this one, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Univision’s national event has raised more than $65 million for St. Jude over the years. The on-air push coincided with a social media campaign, #ThisShirtSavesLives, encouraging Univision listeners and staff share photos while wearing their “This Shirt Saves Lives” shirt from St. Jude.

All Raycom Media stations aired in February the documentary “Trail of Hope - The Journey to Equality.” The hour-long program follows the path of the civil rights movement through churches, courthouses, jails and other historic sites in the South. It was inspired by the United States Civil Rights Trail, a historic initiative of 14 state tourism departments to link pivotal landmarks and share the stories of civil rights activists. Producer Dave McNamara created the program with help from many Raycom stations.

“Many of the communities served by Raycom Media television stations were at the forefront of our nation’s civil rights movement,” said Raycom Media President and CEO Pat LaPlatney. “These are important stories to tell and we are honored to be part of this effort to share and preserve them.”

Consumer investigative teams at local NBC and Telemundo stations have recovered more than $20 million for consumers since 2014. The NBC Responds and Telemundo Responde units have answered more than 250,000 consumer inquiries. For example, Telemundo Arizona helped a woman recover unpaid wages from her former employer so she could pay for medical care. NBC Chicago’s recovered more than $190,000 after discovering that certain couches contain “bonded leather,” an imitation material.
“As many communities continue to recover from recent natural disasters, our consumer teams are helping viewers navigate through the rebuilding processes by providing them with direct help or delivering vital information through their reporting,” said NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations President Valari Staab.

NBC and Telemundo Owned Television Stations Group have donated $150,000 to RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit working to eliminate the medical debt crisis in the country. RIP will use the station group’s donation to locate, buy and forgive $15 million of medical debt owed by individuals in 11 markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth, Bay Area, Washington D.C., Boston, Miami-Fort-Lauderdale, San Diego and Hartford. Additionally, NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ consumer investigative units will report about medical debt, its effects and what people may be able to do to alleviate their situation through localized, multi-platform awareness campaigns.

"NBC and Telemundo owned stations’ commitment to helping the most vulnerable in our communities is an inspiration," said RIP co-founders Craig Antico & Jerry Ashton. "Our goal is to abolish $1 billion of medical debt in 2018, and we’re incredibly proud to have NBC and Telemundo owned stations as partners in helping us make this happen."

Beasley Media Group unveiled on February 18 the “See Something- Say Something” company-wide initiative following the tragic shooting of 17 people in Parkland, Fla. On-air personalities are creating PSAs for radio, sharing videos on social media and providing resources to help families discuss gun violence. Stations aim to encourage listeners to speak up if they see something suspicious on social media, at school or elsewhere in the community.

The NBCUniversal Foundation and NBC-owned stations launched Project Innovation, a grant challenge that will award $5 million in two years. Grants of up to $225,000 each will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that use technology to promote civic engagement, digital skills and STEM education. The 11 participating markets are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Washington, Miami, San Diego, Boston and Hartford, Conn. “Project Innovation weds our identity as an innovative global media company with our stations’ deeply rooted commitment to the communities they serve,” said Vice President of Community Impact Jessica Clancy.
Project innovation winners can be found here.

Hearst Television is significantly expanding and updating its pledge to devote extensive television and digital news coverage of election discourse throughout 26 television markets.

Under the group-wide “Commitment 2018” banner, Hearst Television stations have pledged to provide analysis on all their media platforms of a defined major issue each month leading up to Election Day. Hearst stations are addressing topics such as health care, immigration, infrastructure and gun rights. Hearst will also add investigative resources at its Washington, D.C., bureau as part of its efforts to track the positions and truth-checking the messages of politicians and candidates.

“Commitment 2018” includes more than 50 multiplatform events, including debates, issues-focused specials, and town halls. Hearst will also extend digital coverage of the issues to its recently launched Stitch platform.

“As local journalists, it’s our responsibility to drill down on issues of specific importance to local viewers in a relatable manner,” said Barbara Maushard, Hearst Television senior vice president, news.

Local television stations owned by Meredith Communications performed outstanding community service in 2017. Stations raised money for disaster relief efforts, scholarship initiatives, cancer research, mentoring programs and more. Details are available in this annual report.

Univision Communications announced the creation of a Corporate Social Responsibility External Advisory Board on January 10. The External Advisory Board (EAB) will provide strategic advice, thought-leadership and best practices to inform Univision’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Internal Council. The EAB will advance community empowerment platforms to build strong minds, promote healthy habits and celebrate diversity.

NBC has committed $500,000 to support high school theater ahead of the upcoming drama series “Rise,” which follows a teacher who takes over a school’s theater program. The R.I.S.E. (Recognizing and Inspiring Student Expression) America initiative will award 50 high schools a $10,000 grant to revitalize their theater programs. NBC partnered with the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF), an organization dedicated to shaping lives through theater education. Winning schools will be announced in March.

“This program is incredibly personal to me as someone whose own life was changed by a high school theatre program,” said NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt. “I wholeheartedly support the work of the ETF and have seen the effect of their initiatives on thousands of students. I’m proud that ‘Rise’ will be more than just an uplifting show about a high school drama program, but, through this initiative, will also have an impact on the lives of real students in 50 high schools.”

“The need for local news has never been greater,” said Telemundo Station Group President Manuel Martinez. “Ours are the only local Spanish-language stations in their markets that can deliver their audiences hyper-local news, weather forecasts, consumer and investigative reports, sports and entertainment information across all platforms. We are proud to dedicate more resources to our stations to help them boost their already strong local news programming to help them better serve their viewers with the news and information they need and deserve.”

The Radio Television Digital News Foundation (RTDNF) announced on January 16 its First Amendment Awards winners, who will be honored on March 8. “Through our First Amendment Awards, we shine a light on individuals and news organizations who seek and report the truth ethically and responsibly,” said RTDNF Executive Director Dan Shelley. The 2018 honorees include NBC’s Meet the Press, CBS News’ David Rhodes, ABC News’ Robin Roberts and industry leader Gretchen Carlson.

First Amendment Award – NBC’s Meet the Press
"Meet the Press," moderated by NBC News political director Chuck Todd, is the longest-running show in television history, with 70 years on the air. The show spotlights how Washington decision-making impacts Americans across the country. It was the number one most-watched Sunday public affairs show for the 2016-2017 season, reaching more than three million viewers weekly and millions more through social, digital and on-demand platforms.

First Amendment Service Award – David Rhodes, CBS News
This award honors professionals in local or network news who work in a management or largely behind-the-scenes capacity. Rhodes oversaw the creation of “CBS This Morning" in 2012, which has more than a million daily viewers. In 2014, Rhodes launched the streaming video news channel CBSN. He has twice been named to Fortune magazine’s “40 Under 40” list and to GQ’s “50 Most Powerful People in Washington.”

Lifetime Achievement Award – Robin Roberts, ABC News
Robin Roberts is co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Under her leadership, the show has won five Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program and the 2017 People’s Choice Award for Favorite Daytime TV Hosting Team. Her numerous awards include the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. She was voted the “Most Trusted Person on Television” by a Reader’s Digest poll in 2013.

First Amendment Leadership Award – Gretchen Carlson
This award is presented to a business or government leader or other individual who has made a significant contribution to the protection of the First Amendment and freedom of the press.
Gretchen Carlson is one of the nation’s most successful and recognized news anchors and a tireless advocate for workplace equality and the empowerment of women.

ABC News will receive an award for the documentary “Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992,” produced in partnership with Hollywood luminary, John Ridley. CBS News will be awarded for the Syrian war coverage of veteran correspondent Elizabeth Palmer, as well as for their two-part “60 Minutes” report from inside the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Scripps’ ABC affiliate KNXV-TV Phoenix will receive an award for their investigative reporting into the abuse of the Americans with Disabilities Act. TEGNA’s NBC affiliate KARE-TV Minneapolis will receive awards for three separate investigative stories. NBC-owned KNTV-TV San Jose will receive an award for an investigative series that chronicled the misuse of school police officers to discipline students. Tribune Broadcasting Company’s FOX affiliate WITI-TV Milwaukee will be awarded for challenging public opinion about laws intended to safeguard children that paradoxically may put them at greater risk. TEGNA Media’s CBS affiliate KHOU-TV Houston will be awarded for revealing Houston’s wasteful police body camera program.

The TEGNA Foundation announced that its second round of community grants for 2017 will provide funding to 270 nonprofit organizations across Tegna’s 38 markets. Most grants are between $4,000 - $7,000. The grants foster education, economic development, youth programs, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment. They also support programs that promote and celebrate the diversity. “These grants empower and help well-deserving nonprofit organizations address critical hardships in our local communities, assist those in need and help make a difference in many people’s lives,” said President and CEO Dave Lougee. “We are proud to support these organizations and, alongside our stations, look forward to working with them to serve the greater good of our communities.”

Beasley Media Group hosted “Vegas Strong: A Night of Healing” concert on October 19. Country Music Superstars Rascal Flatts surprised attendees with a special live performance. Nashville Recording Artists Big & Rich performed “God Bless America” in honor of the victims, survivors and first responders. The concert, which 7,000 people attended, was streamed live nationwide. One hundred percent of donations received benefit the Steve Sisolak Las Vegas Victims’ Fund, which has collected $11.3 million to date.

Beasley Media Group set up a GoFundMe page to provide financial support to the victims and families of the shooting at the Route 91Harvest Festival on October 1 in Las Vegas. During the shooting, 58 were killed and more than 500 injured. Beasley’s “Community of Caring” donated $5,000 and set the goal for the page at $1 million. KCYE-FM Las Vegas Morning Personality Mike West took this video at the event.

Television broadcasters have raised $45 million through on-air campaigns and direct donations for relief efforts supporting victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. This amount is based on publicly available fundraising totals, social media and information provided to NAB. In addition to fundraisers, broadcasters have collected food, bottles of water, clothing, hygiene products and other supplies. The estimate does not include fundraising totals for Hurricane Maria relief efforts, as many efforts are on-going.

The estimate includes $6 million from CBS owned-and-operated stations; $5.5 million from NBC; $4.4 million raised by Nexstar; $4.1 million from Hearst stations; $3.6 million from TEGNA, $2 million from Tribune. Millions more were raised by local radio stations, including $2.2 million from Cox-owned stations and $1 million from ICA radio.

"Local broadcasters served as ’first informers’ and saved countless lives as Harvey and Irma tore through Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and the Southeast," said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. "Now, our attention turns to the long recovery ahead. I’m so proud of the generosity and compassion shown by broadcasters who are helping rebuild and restore hurricane-ravaged communities."

NAB recently received Facebook message applauding Univision’s WKAQ-AM San Juan, P.R. for its lifesaving reporting and service to its community during Hurricane Maria. Jose M. Moret wrote, “Dear NAB, the island of Puerto Rico, my homeland, is currently surviving the horrific impact of hurricane Maria. As a Puertorrican residing in NJ, I feel powerless not knowing about my parents, siblings and extended family members. Through this difficult time, the live Facebook news streams from Jay Fonseca (@jayfonsecapr) and the WKAQ580 AM team are providing a truly significant contribution to the relief and coordination efforts in the island as well as distributing the latest news from the island to its population in and out of Puerto Rico. Please allow me via this note to send my public appreciation to the NAB and Jay Fonseca, an extraordinary broadcaster and humanitarian.”

Univision’s awareness campaign “Unidos por los Nuestros” raised $6.8 million to help those impacted by the recent natural disasters in Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Florida and Texas. Funds support efforts by the American Red Cross and other non-profit organizations. The two-day joint telecast of Liga MX soccer action across several networks raised $1.3 million out of the $6.8 million total.

Telemundo has raised more than $12.9 million for American Red Cross relief efforts following natural disasters in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida and the Caribbean islands. Under the banner of “Todos Unidos” (All Together) the Telemundo Networks, plus Telemundo and NBC owned stations, raised $7.5 million through a telethon held September 24. The live broadcast produced from Miami, Mexico, New York, Puerto Rico, Houston and Los Angeles aired simultaneously across Telemundo stations. The group had already raised $5.5 million through multiple fundraising efforts following Hurricane Harvey. “Our stations are committed to helping communities have the news, information and resources they need to recover from the natural disasters that have affected so many, including our very own employees,” said Telemundo Station Group President Manuel Martinez.

The star-studded “Hand in Hand” telethon, held September 12 in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville and San Antonio, raised $14 million for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief through organizations such as the United Way and Save the Children. ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and Univision carried the program, which was also streamed online. Cumulus/Westwood One broadcast a full simulcast of the audio. Network morning personalities Matt Lauer, Norah O’Donnell and Michael Strahan stood before a satellite image of Irma to describe the devastation. An additional $30 million was donated during the hours that followed, bringing the total to $55 million.

The United Media of Indianapolis Network held a “Hoosiers Helping Houston” supply drive from September 7 – 9. The group includes Radio One Indianapolis, Entercom, Cumulus, Emmis, iHeartMedia, WFYI Public Media, Tribune Broadcasting, ABC, NBC, Gannett, Sarkes Tarzian, Lesea Broadcasting Network, Nextstar, Continental Broadcast Group, and The Indianapolis Business Journal.

Cox-owned Atlanta stations - WSB-AM/FM, WSRV-FM, WALR-FM, ABC affiliate WSB-TV - and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution filled 10 semi-trucks with 500,000 of bottles of water during the “Convoy of Care” initiative.

Over 30 Chicago stations simultaneously aired a :60 second spot in English and Spanish to promote the American Red Cross on August 30 at 4:29 p.m. “The Radio Broadcasters of Chicagoland are proud to unite as a group to help the people of Houston impacted by the devastating floods,” said Matt Scarano of the Illinois Broadcasters Association.

The Alabama Broadcasters Association (ABA) promoted a united effort for stations across the state to encourage donations on September 1. The ABA sent radio and television stations a list of suggested organizations to promote to their audience, along with a graphic for websites and for television stations to use on air.

Hurricane Harvey landed on the southeast coast of Texas on August 26, dumping more than 50 inches of rain in four days. Harvey dropped 19 trillion gallons of water, killing dozens and sending 30,000 people to emergency shelters. Radio and television stations across the country provided life-saving wall-to-wall emergency information and storm updates, with reporters risking their own safety to provide coverage. Broadcasters provided wall-to-wall coverage, with staff staying at flooded stations, sleeping in hotels and overcoming technical difficulties to stay on air and keep listeners informed. The FCC reported that as of mid-day on August 27, no TV station had been knocked off the air. Broadcasters also went to great lengths to raise millions of dollars for hurricane relief efforts.

"NAB salutes Texas and Gulf Coast broadcasters in the path of Hurricane Harvey who are devoting enormous resources to keeping people safe this weekend,” said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. ”Local radio and TV stations play a unique role as first informers during emergency weather situations."

“Broadcasters and other news outlets have also played a critical role in conveying emergency information, and in some cases, even coordinating live, on-air rescues,” said FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai. “Everyone who is pitching in deserves our gratitude and support. We’re all in this together.”

In an interview with TEGNA’s CBS affiliate KHOU-TV Houston, Vice President Mike Pence said, “Well, first, let me thank you, and let me thank this station, and all the great local media that has been working, I know, around the clock, to get real time information to those that are struggling in the aftermath of landfall for Hurricane Harvey and now dealing with the historic flooding.”

“Radio is the ultimate connector,” Sarah Frazier of CBS Radio Houston told Radio Ink. “We’re connecting people to information and we’re connecting people to the relief efforts and, most importantly, to each other.”

Less than a week later, Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on the Carribean Islands before hitting Florida’s west coast. The storm battered Fort Myers and Tampa, and also affected Miami and the Florida Keys. Hurricane Irma’s two landfalls on September 10 triggered evacuation orders for 5.6 million people, left more than 5.7 million people without power and caused flooding, plus scores of downed trees and power lines. Florida broadcasters took extensive precautions, including securing reserves of fuel and food, and provided wall-to-wall-coverage.

TEGNA announced on September 14 an expansive hurricane relief initiative to support those in need of assistance following Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Irma in Florida. Between September 15 – 30, 13 TEGNA stations across the U.S. are organizing supply collection events in their communities.

Hearst Television stations aired and streamed a live primetime one-hour special, “Matter of Fact: State of Addiction,” on September 13 to address America’s opioid epidemic as part of Hearst’s year-long multi-platform news and investigative series that launched in January 2017. Award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien hosted the program, which featured live inserts from local stations addressing the crisis in their markets and field reports from around the country. Viewers used the hashtag #stateofaddiction to post pictures, videos and stories, creating a virtual “wall of remembrance” for victims of the epidemic. The special included segments with physicians, U.S. DEA Director Chuck Rosenberg; U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson and Rob Portman and Rep. Greg Walden.

Radio stations across the country supported Hurricane Irma and Harvey relief efforts. iHeartMedia’s KODA-FM Houston morning host Dana Tyson hosted displaced families in her home. Cox Media Group, iHeartMedia San Diego and Spanish Broadcasting System all collected supplies. Beasley’s WRBQ-FM Tampa boosted morale by sending an ice cream truck with supplies and treats. Fundraisers include Entercom’s "Neighbors 4 Neighbors," Beasley’s "Community Of Caring." The "iHeartRadio Presents: Support for Victims of the Hurricanes" aired on stations in 150 markets, featured interviews with flood victims and first responders, and encouraged listeners to donate to the American Red Cross.

CBS Radio’s Miami stations, WKIS-FM, WPOW-FM and WQAM-AM, aired live coverage from CBS owned-and-operated WFOR-TV. A CBS spokesperson told Inside Radio that the radio group helped secure an exclusive interview with Vice President Mike Pence.

Television stations providing extensive coverage include Raycom’s Fox affiliate WFLX-TV West Palm Beach and ABC affiliate WTVM-TV Columbus, Ga. WTVM encouraged viewers to tune in onair, online and on mobile for coverage, or to listen to the simulcast on iHeartMedia’s six stations in the market: WHAL-FM, WDAK-AM, WBFA-FM, WAGH-FM, WVRK-FM and WSTH-FM.

“This is who we are,” Blake Russell, senior vice president of station operations at Nexstar, told TVTechnology. “We are supposed to be the voice of local communities. Like emergency responders we are running into the danger. We have to stay in the mix.”

Cox Media Group’s (CMG) stations in Houston, Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville provided extensive original programming as Hurricane Harvey and Irma ravished Houston and parts of Florida. The stations aired critical updates on air and engaged listeners via social media. CMG stations also held supply drives, delivered ice in the sweltering heat, set up mobile charging stations and provided a variety of relief efforts. One listener tuned in to the radio at 2:23 a.m. after receiving a tornado alert on her phone. The roof blew off their house, but thanks the station for providing information that kept the family safe. “You guys saved our bacon,” said Orlando Segura & Annie Mimlitz, Fernandina Beach. Click here> for more.

Sinclair Broadcast Group and its 173 television stations partnered with the Salvation Army to raise money for relief efforts. Sinclair stations launched a “Standing Strong for Texas” relief effort on September 1, raising $1.4 million. “In a time of crisis, the most important role of local television news is the communication of critical information to an audience in real time,” said President and CEO Chris Ripley. “We recognize how much people rely on their local television stations and that coverage doesn’t end once the storm is over. We are committed to helping these communities rebuild and to living our mission to alert, protect and empower our viewers.”

Quincy Media’s NBC affiliates KTIV-TV Sioux City, IA and KXLT-TV Rochester, Minn. raised over $150,000 in telethons for the American Red Cross. NBC affiliates WREX-TV Rockford, Ill., KWWL Waterloo, IA and stations in Peoria, Ill. partnered with the Salvation Army for on-going phone-a-thons to support relief efforts. Several Quincy stations worked with local grocers to drive Red Cross donations. ABC affiliate WKOW-TV Madison, Wis. raised $120,000 in a telethon for the American Red Cross.

“At every turn, multiple times in every newscast, live on the street, at every promotional avail, Quincy Media is leading literally millions to give what they can, and do what they can, for our neighbors in Texas who remain so desperately in need,” said Quincy Media CEO Ralph Oakley.

Several Raycom stations held successful telethons for local Red Cross chapters. NBC affiliate WAVE-TV Louisville raised a total of $186,000 for hurricane relief through a variety of efforts, including on-air promotions, a web banner, PSAs and a telethon. Fox affiliate WXIX-TV Cincinnati raised $110,000 on August 28-29. CBS affiliate WCSC-TV Charleston raised $100,000 on August 31. NBC affiliate KCBD-TV Lubbock, Tx., raised $60,000 in the #WestTexasCares telethon. CBS affiliate KSLA-TV Shreveport, La., collected six truckloads of cleaning supplies and $17,000 on September 6. The Warrior Network, a group of airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base, joined the effort. CBS affiliate KOLD-TV Tucson raised $22,000 on August 28.

The Bobby Bones Show raised over $150,000 for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts through the sale of #PimpinJoy apparel and more than $50,000 for St. Jude’s during its fourth annual "Joy Week," which began August 28.

TEGNA raised $2 million in the first four days of its “Texas Cares” campaign for the American Red Cross Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. The TEGNA Foundation donated $100,000. All 46 stations participated. “Our stations in Texas are providing important, life-saving information and aid during this catastrophic storm,” said President and CEO Dave Lougee. “I am incredibly proud of the work our stations are doing to keep their communities informed and safe while providing help and relief to those who need it most.”

“Our local newsrooms are equipped to respond for our viewers at a moment’s notice, providing images, sounds and most importantly emergency information to bring the story to our viewers, to help keep them aware and safe,” said Sinclair Vice President of News Scott Livingston. Sinclair dispatched crews from Amarillo, El Paso, Harlingen, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Pensacola, Mobile, Birmingham, Little Rock, West Palm Beach and Las Vegas.

Graham Media Group (GMG) launched on August 23 the launch of “Opioid Nation: An American Epidemic,” a multi-platform program addressing the prescription drug abuse epidemic. During the week of September 5, all seven GMG stations aired and streamed locally-produced specials and staffed phone banks and Facebook Live sessions with substance abuse counselors. The initiative highlights people who are impacted and explores government policies with monthly investigative reports, original programming, town halls, social media, PSAs and community partnerships.

“Opioid addiction is ravaging our communities big and small and local broadcasters are uniquely positioned to tell these stories,” said GMG President and CEO Emily Barr. “It is our responsibility to inform viewers and we hope that ‘Opioid Nation: An American Epidemic’ will not only educate the communities we serve, but help those who are affected find a path forward through this unprecedented crisis.”

Graham Media Group (GMG) announced on August 23 the launch of “Opioid Nation: An American Epidemic,” a multi-platform commitment addressing the prescription drug abuse epidemic. During the week of Sept. 5, all seven GMG stations will air and stream locally-produced specials, plus staff phone banks and Facebook Live sessions with substance abuse counselors. The initiative also includes monthly investigative reports, original programming, town hall meetings, digital engagement, PSAs and community partnerships. GMG will highlight people who are impacted and explore government policies.
“Opioid addiction is ravaging our communities big and small and local broadcasters are uniquely positioned to tell these stories. The diversity of issues affecting our Detroit community differs from those in Houston and Orlando,” said GMG President and CEO Emily Barr. “It is our responsibility to inform viewers and we hope that ‘Opioid Nation: An American Epidemic’ will not only educate the communities we serve, but help those who are affected find a path forward through this unprecedented crisis.”

Entravision raised a record $3.2 million for the Children’s Miracle Network in their 10th annual network-wide radiothon, “Un Million Para Los Niños” (One Million for the Children), held August 17. “Entravision continuously looks for ways to support and give back to our local communities and we are grateful for this partnership and pleased to have surpassed last year’s donation, in turn, benefiting even more families,” said Entravision President and COO Jeffery Liberman.

Beasley Media Group launched a “Community of Caring” initiative across its 63 radio stations. A rotating public service announcement (PSA) series and social media campaigns address opioid abuse, bullying, racism and mental health. Beasley will also host “Day of Caring” events, allowing employees to volunteer at non-profits during work hours. “As a company, we take all of these issues very seriously,” said CEO Caroline Beasley. “The rotating PSA and social media campaigns, combined with our Day of Caring events across all of our markets, underscores our company’s strong commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve.”

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital recently sent this letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to let him know how appreciative they are for all the work that radio does for them. The letter states that radio stations across the country generated more than $20 million over the past year to help fight childhood cancer.

CBS Radio recently launched connectingvets.com, with content produced by vets who understand the complexity of transitioning from the military back into civilian life. Content falls into five categories: News, Transition, Wellness, Get Help and Lifestyle. Specific topics include health and fitness, employment and entrepreneurialism, education, finance, veterans’ families and issues impacting female veterans. Programming will be available onair on WJFK-AM Washington, D.C., and on demand online. “We have created a streamlined, solutions-based product that will provide our vets with immediate and easy access to all of their available resources, and to their fellow veterans,” said Market Manager Steve Swenson.

Raycom Media on June 22 announced that journalists Andy Miller, Jill Riepenhoff and Megan Luther will join the national investigative unit led by Lee Zurik. Viewers can access long-form documentary style investigations or shorter segments on a variety of platforms. “Andy, Jill and Megan bring a diverse skillset with a clear understanding of how to produce impactful, interesting, and important investigative journalism online and on television,” said Zurik. “Each has done award winning work, and I’m confident our new team will produce stories that make a difference in all of our Raycom Media communities.”

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) recently announced the recipients of the 2016 Sigma Delta Chi Awards for excellence in journalism. Judges chose the winners from entries in categories covering print, radio, television and online. Winning radio and television stations provided reports of national events, including the Pulse night club shooting and protests at Standing Rock, in addition to topics such as cases of black lung in Appalachia, voting rights of felons and domestic violence. View all the winners here.

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) announced winners of the 2017 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards on April 25. The awards recognize the best electronic journalism produced by radio, television and digital news organizations around the world. This year, RTDNA awarded 751 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in 16 categories and received nearly 4,300 entries. Examples of the winners include:

TEGNA’s NBC affiliate KUSA-TV Denver was the top winner at the regional level, winning 12 awards in Large Market Television, including newscast, excellence in video, sound and writing, sports and overall excellence

Raycom Media’s Fox affiliate WVUE-TV New Orleans came in second with a total of 11 awards. Tegan’s NBC affiliate KARE-TV in Minneapolis took home 10 regional Murrows

On April 17, Univision Communications Inc. launched local versions of “Edición Digital” (Digital Edition), the first newscast conceived, designed and produced for simulcast on digital platforms and live broadcast television. The new 30-minute midday newscasts take a hyper-localized approach to covering a wide range of topics, such as current events, lifestyle and trending stories on social media. “Edición Digital” is currently available in California, Dallas, Miami, and New York on local Univision stations and websites.

Univision joined St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to host the annual “Promesa y Esperanza” (Promise and Hope) radio event April 6-7 that raised $4.2 million. Coverage of the initiative extended across several Univision platforms to reach Hispanic consumers from coast to coast via its radio network, television affiliates, network programs, websites and social media. St. Jude content included more than 30 hours of radio programming and featured several patient family stories.

Radio One’s national network raised $1.5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon held March 9. Radio One’s top fundraisers were WPZE-FM Atlanta, WPRS-FM Washington, D.C. and the Detroit cluster, WCHB-AM, WPRZ-FM, WDMK-FM and WGPR-FM. Programs like this ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food. Since 2008, the event has raised nearly $12 million.

Local broadcast stations owned by Hearst, Scripps, TEGNA and Nexstar won 2017 Walter Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Television for their political coverage.

Brooks Jackson Prize for Fact-Checking Political Messages

TEGNA’s NBC affiliate KUSA-TV Denver won its third consecutive local fact-checking award.

The E.W. Scripps Company won the national fact-checking award for its local stations’ national impact.

Achievement by a Local Station

Nexstar’s NBC affiliate KXAN-TV Austin covered the government’s effort to stop drug smugglers coming from Mexico. KXAN-TV held elected officials accountable and featured people directly impacted by federal and state policies.

TEGNA’s ABC affiliate WXIA Atlanta won for its five-part investigation of a military policy stripping benefits and veteran status from service members suffering from PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury. The story demonstrated the issue’s human impact prompted legislative action.

Individual Achievement by a Local Journalist

KUSA-TV political reporter Brandon Rittiman earned his second Cronkite award for his reporting on local judicial elections that judges said gives voice to “real people.”

ABC News Radio launched a new five-part series “America’s Fentanyl Crisis.” Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic pain killer and popular street drug. CDC data shows that deaths caused by Fentanyl have nearly doubled in the last year. During the series, Senior Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas visits a Drug Enforcement Administration drug lab, participates in law enforcement ride-alongs and meets with survivors trying to stay clean. Listen to part one here .

The next evolution of Univision Contigo, the award-winning corporate social responsibility, will focus on empowering communities to build strong minds, promote healthy habits and celebrate diversity. Univision Contigo will promote science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) opportunities. The platform will provide content about diabetes, obesity, fitness and the outdoors. In addition, Univision will embark on a year-long campaign highlighting positive role models that embrace our diverse communities.

E.W. Scripps employees around the country delivered 40,000 children’s books to local markets and read with kids to celebrate National Reading Day on January 23, through the Scripps Howard Foundation’s “If You Give a Child a Book…” campaign. Monetary donations reached $143,000. “This campaign is helping to make the Scripps vision of creating a better informed world accessible to even the most disadvantaged children in our communities” said Scripps Howard Foundation President and CEO Liz Carter.
Participating ABC affiliates include:

KERO-TV Bakersfield, Calif., employees participated in story time at Frank West Elementary School. Kids got their own book and played with a live Clifford the Big Red Dog.

WRTV Indianapolis worked with School on Wheels. Volunteers tutor children experiencing homelessness.

ABC affiliate WFTS Tampa partnered with the Junior League of Tampa to give books to local schools.

KNXV Phoenix partnered with the Arizona’s Children Association to give books to kids as they enter foster care.

WMAR-TV Baltimore helped the Maryland Book Bank, a mobile library through which children can select up to five books to keep.

ABC Radio recently launched a weekly podcast called “No Limits with Rebecca Jarvis.” Jarvis speaks with women in Hollywood, business, technology, fashion, comedy, food, sports and startups about their accomplishments. The first three episodes feature Arianna Huffington; co-founder and former editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post; Wende Zomnir, founding partner of Urban Decay Cosmetics; and actress Danielle Brooks. “Rebecca Jarvis’ No Limits podcast lets listeners learn how success is achieved, whether in business or life, by focusing on a remarkable group of women who inspire and inform with humor and candor,” said ABC Radio Vice President Steve Jones.

Univision Nework’s fifth annual “TeletónUSA,” airing December 2 – 3, raised $15.7 million to improve the lives of children with neuromusculoskeletal disabilities, cancer and autism. “TeletónUSA” featured the theme “Nuestra Causa” (Our Cause) and included a variety of Latin music stars and some of the network’s best-known on-air personalities. The telethon took place in Los Angeles and featured live feeds throughout the show from Miami and San Antonio. It also streamed live online.

Westwood One will air continuous, live coverage and special reports every 15 minutes from 7:00 p.m. ET through at least 1:00 a.m. on Election Night. Westwood One plans to air special reports four times per hour throughout the morning drive on November 9.

ABC News Radio’s ’Powerhouse Politics" podcast, which launched in February, was published daily from November 1 through Election Day. Hosts Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl and Political Director Rick Klein discussed the latest poll numbers and developments on the campaign trail.

Hurricane Matthew swept through the southeast United States October 6-8 with winds topping 100 mph, affecting more than 20 million Americans and causing billions of dollars’ worth of damage. Two million residents of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina lost power and thousands were trapped in homes and cars. Local broadcast television and radio stations provided lifeline coverage during and after the storm, tracking Matthew’s path and providing information on outages, closures and shelters.

Graham Media Group’s WJXT Jacksonville, Fla. provides a great example of how local stations prepared viewers and listeners, issuing for residents in evacuation zones to leave. “We are committed to providing our viewers with information to keep them safe,” said WJXT’s Tracy Gaffney. KLOVE radio provided a dedicated feed to stations in dozens of towns and provided newscasts in Spanish.

Broadcasters in the Southeast received praise from listeners and viewers for their coverage of Hurricane Matthew. These e-mails were forwarded to Hearst’s NBC affiliate WESH-TV in Orlando. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal publicly thanked a Savannah broadcaster for their around the clock, informative updates. Florida Governor Rick Scott also commended local stations for their coverage.

“Thanks to the work of first responders in partnership with “first informers” -- local television and radio broadcasters -- millions were safely evacuated,” said Jordan Wertleib, President, Hearst Television.

“Broadcasters have been heavily involved before in preparing people for a storm,” Florida Association of Broadcasters President Pat Roberts told Radio World. “They’ve been involved in the response during the storm and hopefully have saved lives by telling people what to do…Their job during disasters is to be there and speak to their community. Florida broadcasters take that very seriously.”

"The nonstop live coverage highlights the enduring importance of local media," said Brian Stelter of CNN.

View more great examples of broadcasters’ lifeline coverage of Hurricane Matthew.

TEGNA stations across the country participated in the company’s 25th annual Make a Difference Day, one of the largest annual single-days of service nationwide, held October 22. Here are a few examples:

• ABC affiliate KVUE-TV Austin helped flood-proof the Katherine Anne Porter School, which educates underserved kids from seven counties. The school flooded four times in two years.
• ABC affiliate WFAA-TV Dallas: staff worked with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), with the aim of providing a volunteer to each abused and neglected child in foster care.
• ABC affiliate WZZM-TV Grand Rapids: volunteers packed healthy snacks in kid-friendly decorated bags for Kids’ Food Basket. The nonprofit organization feeds 7,500 children.
• NBC affiliate WKYC-TV Cleveland: organized volunteers who helped spruce up a farm that works with children with learning needs.
• CBS affiliate KHOU-TV Houston: dozens of employees and their families gathered at The Sheltering Arms Adult Day Center for adults who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Volunteers striped the parking lot, painted interiors, made holiday cards, prepared emergency kits, refinished specialty made chairs and did gardening.
• NBC affiliate KUSA-TV Denver: volunteers boxed food for more than 100 food banks in Colorado.
• ABC affiliate KBMT Beaumont, Tx.: helped raise money to build a new adoption center to replace one that was destroyed in a fire.
• CBS affiliate WUSA Washington, D.C. filled its studios with volunteers to assemble bikes and toys for a local Boy’s and Girl’s Club.
• ABC affiliate KXTV Sacramento: volunteers participated in the Run for a Safe Haven 5K to raise funds for funds for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
• NBC affiliate KGW-TV Portland, Ore.: collected new unwrapped toys that more than 130 nonprofits in Oregon and Southwest Washington will distribute during the holiday season.

Univision News provided all-platform coverage of the three presidential debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on September 26, October 4 and October 19. Jorge Ramos and María Elena Salinas hosted the broadcasts, which included post-debate commentary and analysis. The first debate reached 6.3 million viewers and the final reached 6.4 million total viewers. In addition to a live stream in English, all three debates aired live with simultaneous Spanish translation on Univision Network, Univision.com, the Univision and Univision Noticias apps, Facebook.com/UnivisionPolítica, UnivisionNOW, YouTube, Periscope and Snapchat Live.

Nearly 78 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. To address the epidemic and support local radio and TV broadcasters’ ongoing efforts, NAB has teamed with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (Partnership) on a multi-faceted campaign through the end of 2017. NAB has developed a digital toolkit with resources such as PSAs, digital messaging and suggested town hall meetings for broadcasters to educate their communities. NAB and the Partnership announced the initiative September 13 at a press conference on Capitol Hill featuring prominent broadcasters and members of Congress who are invested in the issue. The Senators and Congressmen praised broadcasters for their outstanding, ongoing efforts to fight the epidemic.

Univision Communications (UCI) leveraged all of its 126 local television and radio stations, plus digital assets, to guide Hispanics and diverse communities through the voter registration process on National Voter Registration Day. UCI collaborated with national organizations to activate voters across the country as part of its nonpartisan, multiplatform “Vote for Your America” initiative. UCI also set up in-office voter registration drives across its offices.

Telemundo’s September 26 presidential debate coverage included a pre-debate show, a simultaneous Spanish translation of the debate and post-event analysis. It also aired live online and on the network’s mobile app, Facebook and YouTube pages. Telemundo has devoted 275 hours of airtime to the election and hosted registration drives in 15 markets under its #YODECIDO initiative. “Telemundo has been in hyper-drive during this election cycle,” José Díaz-Balart told S&P Global Market Intelligence. “It’s our job to present the news with passion and compassion... Latinos have a hunger for information.”

Telemundo’s September 26 presidential debate coverage included a pre-debate show, a simultaneous Spanish translation of the debate and post-event analysis. It also aired live online and on the network’s mobile app, Facebook and YouTube pages. Telemundo has devoted 275 hours of airtime to the election and hosted registration drives in 15 markets under its #YODECIDO initiative. “Telemundo has been in hyper-drive during this election cycle,” José Díaz-Balart told &P Global Market Intelligence. “It’s our job to present the news with passion and compassion... Latinos have a hunger for information.”

Univision News provided all-platform coverage of the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on September 26. Jorge Ramos and María Elena Salinas hosted the Univision News broadcast, which included post-debate commentary and analysis. The debate reached 6.3 million viewers. In addition to a live stream in English on Univision.com, the debate broadcast live with simultaneous Spanish translation on Univision Network, Univision.com, the Univision and Univision Noticias apps, Facebook.com/UnivisionPolítica, UnivisionNOW, YouTube, Periscope and Snapchat Live.

Raycom Media’s Louisiana Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Relief on September 5 aired live across all Raycom stations, Sinclair stations in 26 markets and nationally on Bounce TV. Randy Jackson and Harry Connick Jr. headlined the event, which included performances from Hunter Hayes, New Orleans-based Better Than Ezra, Aaron Neville, Sonny Landreth, Chris Thomas King, MacKenzie Bourg, Luther Kent and Rockin’ Dopsie. “Our goal is to raise awareness, and more importantly, money, for the tens of thousands of people who need help to get back on their feet,” said Raycom President Pat LaPlatney.

Univision Communications Inc. is partnering with the New York University College of Dentistry to provide oral health content for Univision’s healthcare website, Univision Salud (Univision Health). Topics include: “Everyday Habits That Harm Teeth,” “Orthodontic Care for a Beautiful Smile,” “Bad Breath – Causes and Cures” and “Overcoming Dental Fears.” NYU Dentistry’s experts will also be featured in Univision website videos and Univision TV stories on oral health topics. Personal stories will introduce Univision’s younger viewers to the field of dentistry.

Raycom stations across the country held a variety of fundraisers after historic flooding devastated parts of southern Louisiana in August. CBS affiliate WAFB raised $55,000 for the Salvation Army and Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank on August 24. ABC affiliate WLOX-TV in Biloxi-Gulfport aired American Red Cross PSAs that encouraged viewers to donate $10 via text. In total, the PSAs aired more than 80 times and the effort collected $112,498. NBC affiliate WSFA-TV in Montgomery-Selma partnered with the American Red Cross to hold a flood relief drive on August 17. The drive ran from 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and raised $50,000. NBC affiliate WAVE-TV Louisville held a 14-hour long telethon for the American Red Cross on August 16. In total, the station raised $43,066.60 for relief efforts.

The Bobby Bones Show donated $85,000 to the American Red Cross Louisiana flood relief effort after the show announced on August 16 that all proceeds from #PimpinJoy online merchandise sales would be donated. “The immensity of their support this past week has only served to prove that point, as friends rally around friends in a time of need, and that’s what our listeners have done,” said Bones.

All Cumulus Stations across the country partnered with the United Way of Acadiana and United Way of Baton Rogue to raise funds for the flood victims. Every station website has a “Cumulus Cares” banner under the masthead to encourage donations. They aired PSA nationwide, for driving people to donate online. Here is an example from WGNI-FM Wilmington, N.C.

Univision’s Houston and Los Angeles stations helped more than 30,000 students prepare for the new school year. Events on August 13 included Houston’s “6th Annual Mayor’s Back to School Fest,” an onsite Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. Partnerships with Children’s Institute and El Salvador Foundation in Los Angeles provided backpacks, clothes, health screenings and immunizations for students, plus social service resources for parents. Also, Univision expanded its multi-platform education campaign “Regresa a Clases con Univision” (Back to School with Univision) on August 15. The campaign provides parents, students, mentors and educators with more than 10 weeks of programming on education topics, including early-childhood enrichment, college prep, STEM skills and applying for financial aid.

On July 7, a sniper opened fire at a protest in Dallas against police violence, killing five officers and wounding seven others. This shooting came within days of violent incidents in Minneapolis and Baton Rouge. Local broadcasters immediately provided wall-to-wall coverage of the situation and forums for solace and discussion in the weeks that followed.

All Access reported that some journalists used their personal vehicles or Uber to travel to the scene and were not able to leave because the crime scene was still active. “The staff remains committed to serving the people of Dallas-Ft. Worth,” Service Broadcastings’ KKDA-AM Director of Operations George Cook told Inside Radio. “I am very proud of the efforts under pressure demonstrated by the K104 Family and the KRNB Smooth Crew.”

- iHeartMedia Dallas also re-imaged to include “#DallasStrong on digital platforms.
- Cumulus Media’s WBAP and KILF-AM went commercial-free and pulled all contesting, jingles and station imaging. Radio Ink interviewed Program Director Tyler Cox about the station’s approach to coverage.
- CBS Radio’s KRLD-AM Dallas aired a special edition of “Weekend Roundup” entirely devoted to the Dallas shootings and the recent police shootings of black men in Baton Rouge and Minnesota.
- ABC aired "America in Crisis: Ambush in Dallas" and a special edition of "20/20."
- CBS "48 Hours" aired a special, "Bringing A Nation Together."
- According to RBR, “Radio One, Inc. stated that it is deeply saddened and troubled by the recent events in our country. There is no doubt that this is a critical moment in our history.”
- A CBS journalist filed a report while down, almost on his stomach. Another was so close to the site where a bomb detonated early on July 8 that viewers could hear the explosion. “It was a pretty harrowing experience but we got solid coverage,” said CBS Dallas President and General Manager Gary Schneider told Broadcasting & Cable.
- Watch video here from CBS News Dallas correspondent Manuel Bojorquez, who was a short distance away when the gunman opened fire.

Stations Provide Solace Following Shootings

Television Stations that held town hall meetings to address racial tensions include:
- TEGNA’s ABC affiliate WFAA-TV Dallas hosted a town hall and also raised $716,000 for the fallen officers in a “Stand United” campaign.
- Cox Media Group’s CBS affiliate KIRO-TV Seattle hosted, aired and streamed a one-hour conversation on July 13.
- TEGNA’s ABC affiliate KVUE Austin aired a video on Facebook, getting almost two million views.
- Raycom’s Fox affiliate WXIX Cincinnati aired special reports and programming throughout the day on July 15, including an hour-long special, “Black, White and Blue: A Community Conversation.” Activists, city leaders and former law enforcement officers came to the station to discuss the nation’s toughest questions and how those issues affect Cincinnati.
- Scripps’ ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV aired “Detroit 2020: Unify Detroit” on July 14.
- Raycom’s CBS affiliate WAFB Baton Rouge held a town hall: “Where Do We Go From Here?”
- TEGNA’s CBS affiliate KHOU-TV Houston hosted a town hall, “Courageous Conversation.” It was intended to last an hour and a half, but continued for four hours.
- Manship Station’s ABC affiliate WBRZ Baton Rouge raised $185,000 in the “Unite for Our Heroes Telethon” on July 28 on WBRZ, WBRZ.com, and Facebook Live to benefit the families of the officers and deputies who were killed or injured. “During this tragic time for our community, we were just trying to find a way, like so many others, that we could help,” said Director Jake Manship.
- TEGNA’s NBC affiliate WGRZ-TV Buffalo aired a half hour special and moderated a on July 18.
- ABC-owned KGO-TV San Francisco hosted a two-hour live town hall “A Bay Area Conversation.”
- Hearst’s ABC affiliate WCVB Boston aired “5 On: Race in Boston” July 14.
- TEGNA’s ABC affiliate WZZM-TV Grand Rapids, Mich. used the morning drive to hold a community conversation with a project called “LOVE/Hate.”
- Bounce TV and one of its founders, Martin Luther King III, launched an on-air and online initiative asking the Justice Department to require that local law enforcement be trained in de-escalating incidents with African Americans.
- TEGNA’s CBS affiliate WUSA Washington aired “Race: An Honest Conversation” for viewers to discuss the shootings in Baton Rouge, Minneapolis and Dallas. They used the hashtag #9TalksRace.

Radio Stations that held town halls and fundraisers

- Alpha Media’s KMKT-FM Dallas organized a Stop the Music, Stop the Violence” community conversation at its headquarters on July 8 and a forum on July 15. The program aired on WFXE-FM, WOKS-AM, WKZJ-FM, WIOL-FM and WEAM-FM. “The purpose is to open up the phone lines to have a real conversation with the listeners and the citizens of Columbus, Georgia, to give them an outlet to express any of their feelings as to whether the things happening nationally are impacting them locally,” said Business Manager Geniece Granville.
- Alpha Media’s KXL-FM Portland Ore. personality Lars Lawson held a fundraiser for law enforcement on July 15 to benefit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “We are extremely excited about hosting this event and letting Law Enforcement Officers know that there are many people who truly support them and sincerely appreciate the job they do each day,” said Operations Manager Bruce Collins.
- Summit Media’s WBHK-FM Birmingham hosted a “Silence the Violence Rally” on July 14.

Twitter teamed up with CBS News to present the network’s live stream of both the Republican and Democratic national conventions on the social sharing sites and apps. The stream, run by CBS News with their correspondents, ran "gavel-to-gavel" coverage on Twitter each day, in similar fashion to how NFL games and Wimbledon matches were streamed. The footage was "enhanced" with a running thread of live convention-related tweets.

ABC News arranged a town hall with President Obama to discuss "race relations, justice, policing and equality." ABC’s David Muir moderated the discussion, joined by ESPN’s Jemele Hill. It was broadcast on ABC, ESPN and Disney’s other channels without commercial interruption.

The Bobby Bones Show raised $20,000 through “America Strong” t-shirts sales, in order to purchase an all-terrain tracked wheel chair for former U.S. Marine Sgt. Kirstie Ennis. On the morning show, Ennis had shared the story of how she lost her leg serving as a helicopter door gunner in the military.

Univision News has launched an interactive digital tool to help U.S. residents prepare for the official citizenship examination required by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The free, user-friendly Citizenship Exam Tool provides a practice test featuring the 100 questions that appear on the test. Users can take the test as many times as they want, in English or Spanish, and can review their answers to learn the correct responses. The tool can be accessed on computers and mobile devices via the “Examen de Ciudadanía” (Citizenship Exam) button on UnivisionNoticias.com and Univision.com.

Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) launched its fourth annual “Health Week 2016 – Mi Salud” on June 17 as part of the Univision Contigo empowerment platform across its television, radio and digital platforms. The initiative’s cornerstone is “Reto28,” a free digital tool with a 28-day nutritional diet plan and fitness challenge. The revamped version provides users with additional options, including recipes for families and those with diabetes. Univision’s fourth annual Health Tour hit 12 markets in ten days in June, offering free health screenings to thousands of people. More than 377,000 people have signed up for Reto28. Since its introduction in 2015, challenge participants have lost 238,840 pound.

Fox-owned WOFL received support from stations in Tampa, Philadelphia and Chicago during wall-to-wall coverage from 6 a.m. to 11:40 p.m. on June 12. On June 13, WOFL focused on the police investigation and the effect on the community from 5 – 10 a.m. and in special hour-long newscasts at noon and 4 p.m.

It does give you pause for what this business is all about, which is providing a service and information to the public,” WOFL Vice President of News Jeff Zeller told Broadcasting & Cable.

Graham Media Group’s (GMC) NBC affiliate WDIV Detroit told TVSpy that all GMG stations made an effort to assist CBS affiliate WKMG Orlando, as the station provided wall-to-wall coverage. "Our hearts go out to the people of Orlando. WKMG is part of the Graham Media family and we all support each other," said WDIV General Manager Marla Drutz. "I can’t imagine what they and their viewers are going through."

Radio Ink also reported on CBS Radio and Cox Media Group’s efforts in the week following the attack. CBS Radio’s WQMP-FM Orlando hosted a blood drive on June 13, also collecting donations of water, sports drinks and orange juice for blood donors. CBS Radio also worked with the city to plan and promote a candlelight vigil. Stations promoted and provided complete live coverage of local vigils across the country.

Cox Media Group’s Orlando stations broadcast and streamed on June 13 a two-hour roundtable discussion "Orlando Terror Attacks. Our City Reacts," during which on air hosts discussed the massacre and took calls from listeners. WWKA-FM and WRDQ-TV will host abenefit concert on June 21 for the City of Orlando’s OneOrlando Fund.

OTA Broadcasting’s MyNetworkTV affiliate KMIR-TV Palm Springs, Calif. invited the public to attend a special live event "Standing United," held June 17. The Palm Springs mayor, LGBT and Islamic officials, and other local faith and community leaders will participate in the event. "Standing United" will air with no commercial interruptions and stream live on KMIR.com and Facebook LIVE. "We heard the community loud and clear at Sunday night’s vigil in Palm Springs," said KMIR News Director David Reese. "They want to come together after this tragedy and KMIR News is committed to doing our part to make that happen."

Radio Ink and Inside Radio provided details on broadcast radio stations’ response to the tragedy. CBS Radio brought personnel from all of its morning shows to help WQMP-FM and WOMX-FM Orlando. As listeners asked how they could help, CBS provided information on where to donate blood.

Westwood One sent two reporters, Alan Scaia and Scott Kimbler, to Orlando on June 12 to cover the massacre. The station group quickly committed to keeping Scaia and Kimbler in Orlando all week to cover the aftermath and President Obama’s planned trip to Orlando on June 16.

iHeartMedia Orlando’s WFLA-FM, WXXL-FM, WJFF-FM and WYGM-AM preempted programming to air extensive news coverage produced by WFLA-FM and partners WOFL-TV and WESH-TV. "The LBGT community is well represented within our on-air talent and so there was poignancy to many of the talent exchanges," iHeartMedia’s Chris Kampmeier said. He added that radio has a unique ability to "allow and embrace listeners calling in to share their feelings and any direct knowledge of the situation they may have... They want to feel like they are part of the community and being on the radio and/or hearing those who are helps everyone feel connected and involved."

"Watching radio doing just that with its audience during such heartbreak these past few days was another reminder of the value of our storied industry and why radio talent matter," Cumulus and Westwood One Vice President Lori Lewis told All Access.
"The Orlando radio market, along with cities across the country, shined in the darkest times."

"Where radio distinguishes itself and what truly spotlights its niche among all media is/was and will continue to be, its distinct ability to reach out, dig in and be part ’of’ the community," saidRadio Ink Publisher Deborah Parenti.

Cox Media Group (CMG)’s Orlando stations WPYO-FM, WCFB-FM, WMMO-FM, WWKA-FM and WDBO-FM worked with CMG’s ABC affiliate WFTV to simulcast live coverage and provide reports to stations nationwide. Morning show hosts from all stations gathered at WDBO for an on-air roundtable discussion, allowing listeners to react while the news team gathered and distributed information. CMG Orlando staff members worked around the clock, providing 12 hours of wall-to-wall coverage on June 12.

"We knew that this story would capture the community, the state, and the nation and we wanted to provide a way for listeners to learn, share, and connect with each other and with our on-air team," said Operations Manager Drew Anderssen. "[We were] getting very diverse calls, most from concerned listeners who want to be able to contribute in some way to the needs of the community. Many are sharing their stories from loved ones and their families/friends."

“We are an extension of the community and we are here for our listeners to vent, cry and share their feelings,” WQMP-FM and WOMX-FM Program Director Dennis Martinez told Inside Radio.

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has announced the winners of the 2016 National Edward R. Murrow Awards, which recognize outstanding work produced by radio, television and online news organizations around the world.

"Our judges tell us the work they reviewed this year is some of the best ever," said RTDNA Chair Kathy Walker. "Our winners have clearly demonstrated how their commitment to outstanding journalism serves their communities, states and the nation."

This year, the 45th anniversary of the awards, RTDNA is presenting 103 national Edward R. Murrow Awards in 13 categories including Newscast, Investigative Reporting, Overall Excellence and more. RTDNA received more than 4,300 entries during the 2016 awards season, setting an all-time record for the fourth year in a row.

For the third year in a row, ABC News Radio and ABC News (television) both won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence at the network level. ABC’s radio team also won awards for Breaking News and Hard News. ABC’s television team won for Breaking News, Series, Use of Video and Website.

In the network television division, HBO won a Murrow in the Documentary category for its Oscar-winning feature Citizenfour. ESPN took home three Murrow Awards for Investigative Reporting, Feature Reporting and Sports Reporting. CBS News won for Hard News and Writing, and NBC News won for Newscast and Continuing Coverage.

In the network radio division, National Public Radio took home awards for Investigative Reporting, Series and Writing. This American Life won for Continuing Coverage (with WBEZ) and Documentary. CBS Radio News won for Newscast. ESPN won for Feature Reporting, and KQED and the Food & Environment Reporting Network won for Use of Sound.

The Washington Post won the Overall Excellence Award in the large online news organization division as well as awards for Writing and Continuing Coverage. The New York Times won for Breaking News, Series (Video) and Use of Video. Yahoo News won in the Documentary category, The Seattle Times won for Hard News, The Guardian (US) won a Murrow for Investigative Reporting, The Denver Post was a winner for Sports Reporting, The Detroit Free Press won for Feature Reporting, The Star Tribune from Minnesota won for Website (Video), The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel won for Website (Audio) and National Public Radio and ProPublica won for Series (Audio).

In the Small Online News Organization division, Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting took home a remarkable quintuple win by taking awards for Overall Excellence, Continuing Coverage, Feature Reporting, Documentary, and Website. In Large Market Television, WXIA-WATL-TV in Atlanta scored a triple win for Continuing Coverage, Investigative Reporting and Writing. In Small Market Television, WVUE-TV in New Orleans had a double win for Series and Use of Video. In Small Market Radio, WITF-FM in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania had a double win for for Hard News and Use of Sound. And in the Large Market Radio division, three stations had double wins: WLRN-FM in Miami, WBUR-FM in Boston and WAMU-FM in Washington, DC.

"We present the Murrow Awards not only to recognize outstanding journalism, but to inspire radio, television and digital newsrooms across the country," said RTDNA Executive Director Mike Cavender. "Journalists can learn from each other and push each other to find new and better ways to serve their communities."

To receive an Overall Excellence award, a news organization must exemplify the highest standards in serving its audience through quality electronic journalism.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group launched Nexstar Founder’s Day of Caring, a new community project, on June 17. The company aims to generate 20,000 hours of community service across 104 stations in 54 markets by offering employees paid hours of service to support local causes and intends to match every hour of community service with a corresponding dollar donation.

“Nexstar was founded two decades ago with one television station in Scranton, Pa., based on a commitment to deliver exceptional service to the local communities where we operate,” said Perry Sook, Nexstar’s founder and president.

“To this day, our employees’ unwavering dedication to the people and communities we serve across the United States has been fundamental to our success as we now own or provide services to 104 television stations in 54 markets.”

“The launch of our inaugural Nexstar Founder’s Day of Caring is an extension of the exceptional work our local teams have done, and continue to do, to serve local communities across the country,” said Sook.

TV stations are producing more news than ever this year, with the median output of 5.5 hours a day breaking the record set in 2012 by a half hour, the latest RTDNA/Hofstra University annual survey of newsrooms found. The number of TV stations adding a newscast jumped more than 7% from last year, the survey found. Additionally, there is likely more to come, as roughly 33% of news directors said they plan to add newscasts in the coming year.

Univision has drawn 100,000 people to 145 citizenship workshops, forums and voter registration drives across the U.S. as it aims to register three million new Latino voters this election season. Univision launched a PSA campaign in English and Spanish on its 126 television and radio stations. Its new election-based texting tool has 130,000 subscribers from all 50 states.

CBS Evening News debuted a new series on heroin addiction on May 16. “In The Shadow of Death: Jason’s Journey” follows 30 year-old heroin addict Jason Amaral, who has been addicted for 10 years, has overdosed eight times and done countless detox programs. In part one, correspondent DeMarco Morgan shows Amaral doing heroin the day before he enters rehab. Amaral talks about his daily usage and how he procures drugs. Correspondent Dean Reynolds also provides an overall look at the heroin epidemic in America. “This series aims to allow people to see, in real time, what heroin addiction really looks like,” Executive Producer Steve Campus told TV Spy. “It may also help someone in the throes of addiction to get help, as our main character seeks life-saving assistance.”

On May 11, Univision announced that all its local TV news operations will rebrand with the tagline “Tu Gente. Tu Voz” (“Your people. Your voice”). “The campaign shows our local news anchors for who they truly are—renowned, award-winning journalists who not only report the news but who are also part of the communities they report on,” said Univision Communications’ Chief Marketing Officer Jessica Rodriguez.

ABC’s David Muir anchored a one-hour special, “Breaking Point: Heroin in America,” that aired March 11.
More than 100 Americans die every day from a drug overdose, which more than gunshot wounds or car accidents. “For more than a year, a very small team of producers armed with cameras embedded with very brave families battling heroin in their own home,” Muir told TVNewser. “This is an epidemic that knows no boundaries.”

CBS Television Network aired “Faith, Hope & The Burden of Addiction,” a special that explores the nation’s prescription drug and heroin epidemic and how it affects communities across America. The April 12 broadcast featured numerous officials who work to combat drug addiction, including Director of White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Michael Boticelli, in addition to individuals personally affected by the epidemic. More information is available here.

CBS, Warner Bros. Television and the comedy series MOM partnered with the U.S. Surgeon General to raise awareness of the addiction epidemic through a new public service announcement. The 30-second PSA, featuring U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy and MOM stars Anna Faris and Allison Janney, debuted on February 18 after MOM aired. "We are proud to have worked with the U.S. Surgeon General on this PSA, and hope it provides help to all those suffering from addiction," said MOM executive producer Chuck Lorre.

Univision Local Media’s annual "Promesa y Esperanza" (Promise and Hope) radio event, held April 7 – 8, raised $4 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Millions of Hispanic listeners tuned in as Univision Radio raised awareness for St. Jude’s life-saving childhood cancer research and treatment. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.

Syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh’s 26th annual EIB Network Leukemia & Lymphoma Society "Cure-A-Thon," held April 8, raised more than $3.3 million. This represents an increase of 15 percent over 2015. Limbaugh and his wife, Kathryn, personally donated $650,000. Limbaugh and his staff also paid tribute to the show’s long-time Chief of Staff Christopher "Kit" Carson, who succumbed to cancer a little more than a year ago.

Telemundo launched "Telemundo Responde" (Telemundo Responds) on KTAZ Phoenix and KHRR Tucson on April 18. The initiative’s consumer advocacy team answers inquiries from local residents who are victims of identity fraud or theft, received fraudulent charges or whose employers refused to pay for their work. "Telemundo Responde will give a voice to the voiceless," said investigative reporter Victor Hugo. "With the expansion of Telemundo Responde to Arizona, our communities will now have an opportunity to get real answers to the consumer problems they face every day."

Townsquare Media, Inc. raised $1.4 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the group’s third national Country Cares radiothon, March 3-4. Townsquare stations in 16 markets, including Albany, NY; Owensboro, Kentucky; Lafayette, Louisiana; and Tyler, Texas, participated to help St. Jude continue their life saving treatments. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.

Univision’s Pequeños y Valiosos (Young and Valuable) encourages Hispanic parents to engage in specific actions that boost early cognitive and social-emotional development among young children ages 0-5. A new “Padres de Univision” (Univision Parents) public community group on Facebook encourages parents to share their experiences with each other. A new early childhood section on Univision Contigo’s “Clave Al Exito” online parent portal and a text message service are free tools that provide information, tips and videos to help parents and caregivers.

CBS This Morning co-anchor Norah O’Donnell accepted an White House Correspondents Association award on April 30. O’Donnell won for excellence in presidential news coverage for her 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, on his decision not to run for president.

Radio Worldrecently highlighted radio’s 25-year partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is one of America’s most successful fundraising programs. More than 300 stations have raised over $600 million for the hospital’s lifesaving work in childhood cancer. iHeartMedia has generated more than $80 million in ten years, with $8.8 million coming from radiothons held at 56 stations in 2015.

Univision’s newly launched Detector de Mentiras (Lie Detector) during the March 9 Democratic debate to fact-check presidential candidates this election season. During that event, Detector de Menitras focused on the candidates’ statements on drivers’ licenses for undocumented residents, Hillary Clinton’s famous speeches to Wall Street and the auto industry bailout. In general, the fact-checking team will focus on issues that are important to the Hispanic community, such as immigration, education and health care. "Univision has been asserting itself as a significant player in investigative work over the past few years," said Al Tompkins of Poynter, who cited Univision’s Rape in the Fields and Rape on the Night Shift.

Multiple award-winning “CBS Evening News” anchor Scott Pelley will receive Arizona State University’s 2016 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. Pelley is also a correspondent on “60 Minutes,” where he recently reported from Iraq on the front lines in the battle against ISIS; covered the Paris terrorist attacks; and uncovered critical lapses in the U.S. security clearance process. He has interviewed world leaders, including Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. He also conducted the only interview with one of the U.S. Navy SEALs who helped kill Osama bin Laden. Pelley’s prestigious awards include the George Foster Peabody Award, an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award, five Emmys and five Edward R. Murrow Awards. “No one today better represents the legacy of Walter Cronkite – and his values of accuracy, objectivity and integrity – than Scott Pelley,” said Cronkite School Dean and University Vice Provost Christopher Callahan.

A CBS News investigation led by Chip Reid led to the board of the Wounded Warrior Project firing its CEO and the COO. CBS’s Scott Pelley broke the news on March 10. Reid’s investigation revealed that Wounded Warrior Project spent 54 - 60 percent of the donations it received on veterans’ services. Other organizations spend more than 90 percent on veterans.

Alex Lucas of Entravision’s syndicated morning show, "El Show de Alex ‘El Genio’ Lucas," was awarded Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals’ Hispanic Radio Person of the Year on February 24 for his extraordinary support of CMN. Entravision’s eighth annual network-wide radiothon raised $2.9 million in 2015, benefiting 95 communities. Of that, KALC-FM Denver raised $1.3 million on February 11-12, bringing its 15-year total to $20.7 million.

Univision premiered "Heads of Space," a satirical, animated web series based on the 2016 election, on February 16. The weekly episodes, available in English with Spanish subtitles, follow the adventures of candidates Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush, who are sent to Mars by President Obama on a mission to ensure the survival of the human race before an asteroid destroys Earth. A robot named ROTUS pilots the spaceship and mediates conflicts between the candidates. HeadsOfSpace.com also features daily election news and infographics.

Univision released its first corporate social responsibility report. Titled “Access for All,” it showcases how Univision’s corporate values of integrity, collaboration, innovation, diversity, service and excellence help the company deliver on its responsibility to Hispanic and multicultural communities.

On January 22-23, Winter Storm Jonas brought record snowfall to the East Coast, with parts of New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. receiving more than two feet of snow.

Local radio and television broadcasters provided wall-to-wall coverage of the storm, delivering critical updates on weather patterns, road closures and emergency information to local residents. News crews and station staff members braved the elements during heavy snow falls and winds gusting at up to 40 miles per hour. They stayed at nearby hotels or set up cots at work to make sure their stations stayed on air.

The Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB)’s analysis of Nielsen data "reveals that local broadcast TV news was overwhelmingly preferred as the source for storm coverage over cable news during the blizzard on January 23, 2016."

Hearst’s NBC affiliate WBAL viewers thanked the station for providing critical updates. One viewer said: "I just want to give you and your news casters a HUGE SHOUT OUT!!! We
can always count on you to be out there in the thick of things whether winter conditions or other news worthy
conditions keeping us up to date and informed. Especially now. My heart goes out for all you guys out in this nasty
night letting us know what to expect. Everyone forgets that without the news we would be in trouble. SO A BIG
THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!!"

Entravision is encouraging Latinos to participate in the 2016 presidential election through its multi-platform campaign, "Tú Decides." The multi-platform campaign, which launched on Dec. 3 with a voter registration drive, encompasses Entravision’s television, radio, social and online assets. It includes Spanish-language news and political content on PoliticaParaMi.com and is customized for each market.

Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) launched its annual multi-platform campaign, "¡Estudia, Hay Dinero!" (There’s Money to Study!), on Jan. 11 on its radio and television stations to raise awareness about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program. The campaign features more than 100 workshops and phone banks, a digital FAFSA hub and a digital parent academy. In 2015, 42,000 people attended the workshops.

On Jan. 23, Univision News aired "Puente al Futuro" (Bridge to the Future), a program exploring how the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in place in 42 states affect Hispanic students. It is now available online, along with an extensive report in Spanish and English, and was produced with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Several stations were recently honored with Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards.

•Meredith’s CBS affiliate KMOV St. Louis was honored for the hour-long, commercial-free documentary "The Injustice System," on the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.
• Hearst’s NBC affiliate WBAL-TV Baltimore’s Jayne Miller was honored for her investigative work on the death of Freddie Gray. "Her exemplary reports raised important questions about probable cause, police policy, and accountability," the judges found. "Miller asked probing, smart questions and followed up with clear analysis of a fast-changing story."
•Capitol Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WRAL-TV Raleigh reporter Leyla Santiago and photographer Zac Gooch won for "Journey Alone," on illegal immigration and unaccompanied minors in North Carolina.

NBC will partner with PolitiFact for this campaign season. PolitiFact will monitor statements candidates make on Meet the Press and other programs, giving selected comments a score on its Truth-O-Meter. PolitiFact is also partnering with E.W. Scripps to air fact-checks in Scripps’ 24 local television markets.

CBS Radio’s WUSN-FM Chicago, WYCD-FM Detroit, WDSY-FM Pittsburgh, KMLE-FM Phoenix and KNCI-FM Sacramento raised $2.4 million in the "Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon," held the first two weeks of December. Of that, WUSN-FM raised $1.3 million, bringing its 25-year total to $25 million.

Univision’s TeletonUSA raised $15.7 million during a live event held in Los Angeles December 4-6 to benefit children with neuromusculoskeletal disabilities, cancer and autism. More than 100 artists participated. Live broadcasts aired in Chicago, Miami, New York and San Antonio and streamed online.

NAB offers two awards programs that provide an opportunity for radio and television stations to receive national recognition for their year-round service to local communities.

The 10 winners are announced at the annual NAB Show, held April 16-21, 2016 in Las Vegas. Enter your station here.

The NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) hosts the Celebration of Service to America Awards to honor the outstanding public service commitment of local television and radio broadcasters. Join broadcast industry leaders, philanthropists, government officials and members of the press at this annual black tie gala, June 21, 2016 in Washington, D.C. Enter your station here.

The “Alison & Adam Memorial Fund” has raised $88,175 for the families of the victims of the Aug. 26 Roanoke TV shooting. NAB and the Radio Television Digital News Association launched the fund on behalf of Alison Parker and Adam Ward of Schurz-owned CBS affiliate WDBJ-TV Roanoke, who were killed on-air. Proceeds will be distributed evenly between the families of Parker and Ward, Vicki Gardner, who suffered gunshot wounds, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Donations will be accepted until Nov. 30.

Local news provider NewsON launched an app on Nov. 4 to provide consumers with live and on-demand local newscasts and news clips. The app’s video content from 118 stations in 90 markets covers 75 percent of the United States and is available on Apple, Android and Roku devices. Viewers can find stations via an interactive map. At launch, participating stations include those in NewsON’s owner group - ABC Owned Television Station Group, Cox Media Group, Hearst Television, Media General and Raycom Media - plus Graham Media Group and Tegna stations. Hubbard Broadcasting joined NewsON as an investor.

Telemundo’s "Noticias Telemundo" Spanish-language app launched on Nov. 8. It is the first news app for U.S. Hispanics available for Apple Watch. It includes content from “Un Nuevo Día,” “Al Rojo Vivo con María Celeste” and “Noticiero Telemundo,” and will offer real-time election results. Also, Telemundo is airing #Yodecido (I Decide) PSAs encouraging voter participation. “Telemundo is committed to empower [Hispanics] with information that is reliable and balanced, distributed across the platforms they use,” said Telemundo’s Luis Carlos Velez.

Univision’s Education Week 2015, held Oct. 3-10 on 126 radio and television stations, reached hundreds of thousands of families. Resources, tools and programs covered issues related to early childhood development to college readiness. Local phone banks answered more than 2,000 viewer questions. The “Academias para Padres” (Parent Academies) connected 1,300 people in three cities with education experts. Univision’s KMEX-TV Los Angeles kicked off Education Week on Oct. 3, when 15,000 people attended the "Feria de Educación" (Education Fair). One hundred non-profit organizations and 50 workshops addressed financial aid, scholarships and parent engagement. More than 45,000 books were distributed.

Tribune Broadcasting produced an hour-long documentary, "Untold Stories: Saluting Our Vietnam Veterans," for stations to air from Nov. 7-15. It features POW Colonel Murphy Neal Jones, war correspondent Joe Galloway, and information on PTSD. Stations also aired segments on local veterans. “We asked our award-winning journalists across the country to help give voice to the stories of our Vietnam Vets and the result is a compelling and poignant [hour-long documentary] and special series in every one of our markets,” said Tribune’s Senior Vice President of News Bart Feder.

Westwood One News produced an 11-part original series for Veterans Day. Features included: an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, now in college, discussing differences between military and student life; a West Point graduate sharing what he learned from leading soldiers during two tours in Iraq; a website encouraging people to volunteer on Veterans Day; a female Marine addressing women-specific military issues; Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), a retired Air Force attack pilot and squadron commander, talking about challenges with dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs; a former Army officer providing examples of how World War II veterans re-entered civilian life; an American Legion post manager explaining the benefits of joining veterans’ groups; and a consultant who helps companies hire servicemen and women addressing the veteran employment picture.

Syndicated radio hosts Armstrong & Getty raised $544,000 for Fisher House in a drive held Nov. 9-13, bringing the drive’s four-year total to $2.2 million. The Fisher House Foundation provides a free "home away from home" for families while their loved ones receive medical care at a military or VA medical center.

A nationwide Amber Alert issued by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and broadcast on radio stations across the country resulted in the safe recovery of a missing two-year-old Knoxville girl on Oct. 29. Investigators believed that Tyler Enix kidnapped two-year-old Brooklynne Enix after killing his ex-wife, the girl’s mother. In northwest Ohio, resident Steve Adams followed the black Chevy Impala described in the alert, confirmed the license plate number and called police. This story from Tegna’s NBC affiliate WBIR-TV Knoxville. includes audio from the 911 call.

Tegna’s NBC affiliate KUSA-TV Denver has gained recognition for quality content and high-profile interviews on its political show "Balance of Power." An interview with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton aired Oct. 18. Long-form news shows such as this "make a difference in the policy debate and in elections," said the Huffington Post’s Jason Salzman.

Tegna’s NBC affiliate KUSA-TV Denver used its Video Call Center system for a post-GOP debate show on Oct. 28. The system allows viewers to be seen on-air as they interact with hosts. KUSA also used the platform when covering the 2015 NFL preseason.

CBS News is partnering with Twitter on an enhanced viewer experience for the Nov. 14 Democratic debate. Twitter will provide CBS News with live reactions and voter questions, some of which may be used in the debate.

Sinclair Broadcast Group recently launched "Connect to Congress," a multimedia initiative that creates a regular dialogue between constituents and members of Congress. Sinclair established a Capitol Hill bureau so local anchors can conduct interviews about issues constituents and lawmakers are passionate about. Nielsen data shows that these local newscasts often draw audiences that are four times that of the top cable news channels for comparable time periods. "Everyone has a right to know what their elected officials are doing in Washington," said Scott Livingston, Sinclair’s vice president of news. "Connect to Congress is just one example of the investments we are making in our D.C. news operations."

Sinclair Broadcast Group promoted the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign as part of Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9 – 15. Through the campaign, the Red Cross has installed more than 125,000 smoke alarms in nearly 2,400 communities.

"Local broadcasting is one of the most important ways we share life-saving information with the communities we serve. Our campaigns are local, our volunteers are local, our supporting partners are local, and broadcast TV just connects all those dots," said Red Cross Executive Director of Community Preparedness Russ Paulsen. "Being able to speak to over 43 million homes at once through Sinclair’s media network allows us to scale our effort to educate families about preventing home fires and keeping loved ones safe."

The following stations are among those that have recently expanded local news coverage:

Fox owned-and-operated KTVU-TV Oakland, Calif., added a 9 a.m. newscast on September 14. KTVU also airs local news at 7 a.m., noon, 4 p.m., 5 p..m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. In the past year, KTVU added 13 hours of local news and sports, for a total of 62 hours per week.

Telemundo owned-and-operated KNSO-TV Fresno, Cailf., debuted its first local newscast on September 1. The one-hour Spanish-language program airs weekdays from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Salem Radio Network (SRN) provided exclusive radio coverage of the September 16 GOP presidential debate. SRN’s 31 stations carried the debate, plus the pre- and post-event coverage. Westwood One will provide exclusive radio coverage of the third GOP presidential debate, to be held October 28. Westwood One News is also the exclusive radio broadcaster for the first Democratic Party presidential debate, to be held October 13.

ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC aired The Entertainment Industry Foundation’s (EIC) one-hour Think It Up program on Sept. 11. The Think It Up initiative aims to build excitement for learning in classrooms around the country through celebrity endorsements and by showcasing positive stories from students and teachers. Kristen Bell, Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Seacrest, Jessica Williams, Jeremy Renner, Stephen Colbert, Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow participated in the show, which included sketches and musical performances.

Throughout the month of September, PBS stations across the country will air “Vibrant for Life,” a health documentary focusing on hormone changes in aging women. The special brings together leading doctors and authors to share new methods on how women can maintain hormone balance through fitness, lifestyle and diet.

Univision Communications launched "¡Avanzamos, Conectados!" (Connected, We Advance!) on August 10 to help supply Hispanic students with access to broadband technology. More than 24,000 families have accessed information about affordable broadband, Internet training and guidelines for supervising Internet usage at home via the website Clave al Éxito. In Houston, Univision participated in the mayor’s "5th Annual Back 2 School Fest" on August 15. Roughly 20,000 people attended the event, which provided school supplies, backpacks, clothes, health screenings, immunizations and social service resources.

Univision Radio’s Vice President of Marketing, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Monica Rabassa was honored for her work with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by MegaFest on Aug. 23.
Rabassa is instrumental to Univision’s partnership with St. Jude. Univision has raised $52 million for St. Jude since 2006. Rassa is also founder and chairperson of the St. Jude Hispanic Advisory Council, which includes Spanish-language radio stations and other Latin entertainment industry groups.

The 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29 served as a reminder of the unique and vital role broadcasters play in times of emergencies. Many stations commemorated the anniversary with special programs. The Houston Chronicle and Britain’s BBC praised WWL-AM for staying on-air throughout the storm. Radio World provided technical details on how WWL-AM accomplished this. In reflecting on Katrina, iHeartMedia’s Bob Murphy told Inside Radio, “At that point, music, ratings and dollars are out the window. You realize how important your role is in the community. There is one focus: to serve the people that are depending on you.”

The fatal on-air shootings of Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, of Schurz Communications’ CBS affiliate WDBJ-TV Roanoke, Va. caused shock, anxiety and sadness throughout the industry. The Roanoke community and fellow broadcasters across the country expressed their grief and support. "Every morning we watch these people on TV, it’s like they’re part of your family," WDBJ viewer Donna Toliver toldUSA Today.

WDBJ, a station known for its commitment to local news, did not miss a newscast due to the tragedy. “We watched them be absolutely stalwarts on camera, and bawl their eyes out after,” said Schurz Communications Senior Vice President of Broadcasting Marci Burdick. “The resilience of the team remains visible and amazing.”

Parker and Ward’s deaths also brought national attention to the vulnerability of local reporters who deliver essential news every day. Atlanta-based reporter Jaye Watson’s eloquent essay describes why journalists are willing to take risks. “I didn’t know Alison Parker or Adam Ward, but I would bet they entered this business with an idealized, deep desire to make the world a better, more informed place. They wanted to tell good stories. They wanted to be part of the change.”

Following the tragedy, NAB, the Radio Television Digital News Association and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences launched the “Alison & Adam Memorial Fund” for the victims’ families, for which $40,000 has already been committed. “Our hearts are heavy with grief over this horrifying act of violence against two individuals with a zest for life and a love of broadcasting," said NAB President Gordon Smith. NAB also flew its flags at halfmast at the association’s headquarters to honor the victims.

Salem Radio Network Vice President News and Talk Tom Tradup recently traveled to Haiti to spearhead the network’s coverage of the country’s major humanitarian crisis and to work with the charity Food For The Poor. Salem Radio Network personalities who broadcast live reports from the refugee situation in Haiti included syndicated hosts Bill Bennett, Mike Gallagher and Hugh Hewitt, plus local hosts Joe Piscopo of WNYM-AM New York, and Mark Davis and Jon-David Wells of KSKY-AM Dallas.

Twenty-eight NBC-owned stations will host a pet adoption drive on Aug. 15, to try to find homes for animals from 300 animal shelters across the U.S. Before the pet adoption drive, eleven NBC-owned stations and 17 Telemundo-owned stations will air Clear The Shelters, which features local programming on issues faced by animals in shelters. In the following week, Natalie Morales of NBC’s Today Show will host another 30-minute adoption drive that will air on more than 100 NBC stations and affiliates.

RTDNA also announced the 2015 Kaleidoscope Award winners for excellent coverage of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity. Winners include the University of Washington’s KUOW-FM Seattle (large market radio) for "Two Indias: Near and Far" and General Communication’s CBS affiliate KTVA-TV Anchorage, AK (small market television) for "Season of Sacrifice, Season of Hope."

On June 17, a gunman opened fire on the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., shooting 10 and killing nine in what the shooter admitted was racially-motivated.

Broadcasters across America aired breaking news and provided listeners with an outlet for emotional expression following the tragedy. They altered programming, changed playlists and took calls from listeners, allowing them to express shock and anger.

Cumulus Charleston Vice President and Market Manager Sherry Dollar told Radio Ink that after the shooter was caught, stations made a conscious effort to promote the "Charleston Strong" message. Dollar praised program directors for connecting with listeners, by expressing genuine, raw emotion and cutting into syndicated shows to add a local element. All five stations WMGL-FM, WWWZ-FM, WNSH-FM, WTMA-AM and WSM-FM highlighted the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund, which supports the victims’ families.

At the 2015 NAB Show in April, NAB Public Service provided non-profit partners with the opportunity to share their PSAs with radio and television stations. Local broadcasters are an invaluable resource to non-profit organizations, as they communicate critical public service messages to communities across America. NAB recently released this video of public service partners thanking broadcasters.

Univision Communications Inc., as part of its Univision "Contigo" platform, held a month-long multi-platform health and wellness campaign in June, with participation spanning its 67 radio and 60 television stations nationwide. More than 300,000 people signed up to receive weekly diet and fitness tips during the campaign. Univision’s third annual "Semana de la Salud" (Health Week), held June 6-13, provided more than 9,000 free health screenings to more than 32,000 people.

Univision News and The Washington Post will collaborate on a Republican presidential candidates’ forum ahead of primaries in March 2016. The collaboration will explore key players and issues through polling, joint reporting projects, video interviews, interactive graphics and digital storytelling to enhance coverage of the issues that are important to Hispanic voters.

iHeartMedia and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals received a Silver Cause Marketing Halo Award in the Best Message-focused Campaign category at the 2015 Cause Marketing Forum Conference. In 2014, 35 iHeartMedia stations raised almost $6.5 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. "No medium is more local than radio, and the radiothon program capitalizes on iHeartMedia’s unique and natural role as a community medium to drive both awareness and donations," said iHeartMedia Director of Community Engagement Jessica King.

Sinclair Broadcast Group and iHeartMedia are supporting the UNCF’s (United Negro College Fund) annual show, "An Evening of Stars," which highlights 20 students and presents $500,000 in scholarships to historically black college or universities (HBCUs). In the past 36 years, UNCF’s "An Evening of Stars" has raised more than $200 million and provided hundreds of thousands of scholarships. Sinclair will air the show in all of its 78 television markets beginning on June 6th and will produce a news feature on a local HBCU when applicable. iHeartMedia is promoting Sinclair’s broadcast of "An Evening of Stars" on 156 radio stations.

"We are proud to broadcast this important fundraiser to almost half the country, including markets where this show has never aired before," said Sinclair VP of Programming Bill Butler. "By offering our footprint to extend UNCF’s message of educational opportunity almost nationwide, we hope to open new doors for the scholarship fund, as well as future UNCF beneficiaries."

After years of drought, parts of Texas and Oklahoma experienced historic rainfall that caused flooding, property destruction and power outages. More than 20 people died, as thousands of others evacuated their homes, were stranded in cars or slept in the Toyota Center after a Houston Rockets game. Local radio and television station staff braved the storm to provide lifeline news and weather to the community, raised money for flood relief and encouraged listeners and viewers to support the Red Cross.

iHeartMedia’s KASE-FM Austin, TX hosted a concert on June 3 featuring nationally syndicated radio talent Bobby Bones and his Raging Idiots band to raise money for the Central Texas Chapter of the Red Cross. "Bobby’s heart has always been in Austin, where The Bobby Bones Show got its start," said KASE-FM Program Director JT Bosch. "He wants to do anything and everything possible to help his friends and family here in the area rebuild their lives." Sinclair Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate KEYE-TV Austin raised more than $14,000 on May 27 for the American Red Cross of Central Texas.

Justice Network airs 90 seconds of original content each hour that features wanted criminals or missing children. After one of these segments, a viewer identified a missing girl and contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The girl, who had been missing since 2013, was returned safely to her family. The network launched January 20.

The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) announced the winners for the 2015 Celebration of Service to America Awards, recognizing outstanding community service by local broadcasters. Winners will be honored at the Celebration of Service to America dinner held Tuesday, June 16 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

“Broadcasters have an unwavering commitment to serving the public, and the Service to America Awards are an opportunity for us to celebrate those radio and TV stations that epitomize what it means to be a broadcaster,” said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander. “This year’s winners have gone above and beyond to create a positive and worthwhile impact on the communities they serve.”
This year’s Service to America Awards will honor the following broadcasters:

SERVICE TO AMERICA TELEVISION AWARD

This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.

KING-TV Seattle, Wash.
Owner: Gannett Broadcasting

Through a combination of programming, fundraising and hands-on support, KING-TV met the challenges of 2014 head-on. In addition to supporting more than 100 non-profit organizations, raising more than $1 million for the American Red Cross and attending 170 community events, they also forged new paths with their coverage and response to local disasters. When the Oso Landslide occurred, KING helped fundraise for relief, got the word out about specific needs and mobilized local businesses to help. When wildfires hit, KING responded, raising money and awareness. After a student shooting at a local high school, KING aired a one-hour prime time special, pausing only for local PSAs. Finally, for their annual Home Team Harvest, KING raised 4.6 million meals. Personally invested and fierce in their involvement, KING exemplifies unwavering commitment to community service.

SERVICE TO CHILDREN AWARDS
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.

Radio

KEX-AM Tigard, Ore.
Owner: iHeartMedia

Since 1987, the KEX Kids Fund has provided eye glasses and hearing aids to children whose families cannot afford them in 16 counties of Oregon and Southwest Washington. The program is funded primarily by donations from KEX listeners who contribute through a four-day pledge drive that begins each year on Thanksgiving morning. The annual radio-thon raises approximately $100,000, allowing the Kids Fund to meet the needs of approximately 1,000 children each year. Teachers report that students who are served by the KEX Kids Fund, given proper hearing and vision, invariably move from the bottom to the top of their classes. Since the program’s inception, thousands of children have been helped and millions of dollars have been raised.

Cleveland area schools have the second worst dropout rate in the country. To address the educational challenges in the community, WVIZ, WCPN and WCLV partnered to create a nonprofit organization with a mission to address this issue. Throughout 2014, the group expanded its early childhood literacy efforts and partnered with other organizations to help older students stay in school. Through televised programming, they brought attention to community resources and raised awareness for the types of dangers youths face during after school hours. The group also hosted a drop-out prevention day, gathering more than one-hundred 8th graders who received advice from and interacted with experts and recent graduates. WVIZ produced content from this event for local television, radio, web and social media, and followed up with the students at their schools. In addition to assisting students, the group also provides resources for parents and educators.

This category honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities.

Radio
WCCO-AM Minneapolis, Minn.
Owner: CBS Radio

Through PSAs, events and fundraisers, WCCO helped the hungry through year-round outreach. With “Let’s Kick Hunger Day,” WCCO engaged listeners, celebrities and charity groups to replenish food shelves across 59 counties. Teaming up with local congregations, civic groups, corporations and listeners, WCCO helped power the month-long Food Share campaign, the largest food drive in the country. In partnership with the National Association of Letter Carriers, WCCO supported the “Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive,” which collected 1.73 million pounds of food. Finally, the 11th Annual Union Gospel Mission radio-thon featured stories of those whose lives had been touched by such efforts and broke a new record, providing help for the homeless, poor and addicted.

Capitol Broadcasting Co., Inc., Raleigh, N.C.
Capitol Broadcasting Co. (CBC) has been working for almost a year on a domestic violence initiative called eNOugh NC. The effort included a domestic violence task force charged with building local and national awareness of this issue that impacts one in four women. Through a collaboration with local government partners and agencies, CBC-owned WRAL and WRAZ held a televised panel discussion with survivors and thought leaders, created a website for abuse victims, ran more than 2,000 PSAs, posted TV and internet ads, conducted a social media campaign, aired a half hour documentary and held a three hour phone bank, taking 400 calls from across eight states. In addition, within 36 hours of the Ray Rice story breaking, WRAL devoted 2.5 minutes of advertising inventory to CBC produced PSAs during the national premier of Thursday night NFL. These 60- and 90-second PSAs featured the men of CBC, speaking out against domestic violence.

The NABEF President’s Special Award recognizes historic and extraordinary achievement by a broadcaster.

iHeartMedia, San Antonio, Texas
iHeartMedia Show Your Stripes is a long-term effort to help guide veterans back into civilian life by highlighting their valuable training and experience. Since the program’s launch, iHeartMedia has invested over $150 million in radio, digital and out-of-home resources to highlight the skills brought back by returning service men and women and their value to employers. Show Your Stripes is the largest public service campaign in the company’s history. The campaign spans iHeartMedia’s 858 owned radio stations across 150 markets, with each station addressing unemployment needs that are specific to each individual community. In addition to nationally produced spots, local radio stations produce PSAs that reflect their community. In July 2014, the company launched a 30-minute long form public affairs show. Local stations also explored opportunities to promote and participate in regional veteran-focused career fairs.

The Celebration of Service to America Awards are sponsored and produced by NABEF with major support from Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., Bonneville International Corporation, and the National Association of Broadcasters. In recent years, singer, songwriter, musician and producer, Stevie Wonder; multiple award-winning actress Glenn Close; Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges; entertainment industry icon Quincy Jones; legendary rock star Sir Elton John; former President Bill Clinton; First Lady Laura Bush; Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan; former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani; boxing legend Muhammad Ali; former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn Carter; former First Lady Nancy Reagan; among others have been presented with the Celebration of Service to America Leadership Award at the event. Details about the Celebration of Service to America Awards are available here.

iHeartMedia raised $3.7 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the annual "Country Cares" Radiothon, Feb. 19-20. Stations in 34 cities participated, including WACO-FM Waco, TX; WUSY-FM Chattanooga, Tenn; WHLW-FM Montgomery, Ala.; and KWNR-FM Las Vegas. The award-winning Bobby Bones Show, syndicated on 19 participating radio stations, supported the event. Hundreds of iHeartMedia stations fundraise for St. Jude throughout the year, in addition to participating in the "Country Cares" Radiothon. In 2014, iHeartMedia raised $7.5 million for St. Jude and is on track to match that amount in 2015.

Treatments discovered at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent in the past 50 years. St. Jude aims to drive the childhood cancer survival rate to 90 percent in the next decade.

Univision Local Media’s "Promesa y Esperanza" (Promise and Hope) Radiothon, held Feb. 5-6, raised $3.5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The event featured musical artists and popular on-air personalities. Fundraisers are critical to St. Jude, as families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food while their children battle life threatening illnesses.

"The dedication and support we receive from Univision and its staff allow us to reach Hispanic radio listeners across the country and create awareness about our lifesaving research and treatments," said St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital President and CEO Richard Shadyac, Jr. "The financial support and the commitment of the Univision family and their listeners will help us reach the day when every child can be saved."

Forty-two Raycom Media stations aired the documentary "SELMA: A March to Remember" on Feb. 2 to honor events of Bloody Sunday and the historic Selma-to-Montgomery March that followed in 1965. Leaders, participants and witnesses who discussed their experiences in "SELMA: A March to Remember" included former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young, who worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; and U.S. Representative John Lewis, a leader in the Students for Non-violent Coordinating Committee. "As an Alabama based company, we are proud to be able to document the stories and history of our state, especially an event of this magnitude that has helped change our nation," said Raycom Media President and CEO Paul McTear.

Several members of Congress praised broadcasters in speeches given on the House floor and submitted comments for the record on Feb. 25. The Representatives commended local broadcasters for their charitable work and their vital role as first informers during times of emergency.

Rep. Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (GA) submitted comments into the Congressional Record stating, "Every community is impacted by broadcasters, the individuals who have dedicated their lives to disseminating important information by radio and television."

In other comments submitted into the Congressional Record, Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) said, "Broadcasters play an important role in our country. I want to applaud the work of broadcasters, particularly those in Sacramento, for working diligently to cover and provide local news programing to our communities, and for being strong community partners."

NBC launched “Responde” consumer investigation units at seven Telemundo affiliates: KVEA-TV Los Angeles, WNJU-TV New York, WSCV-TV Miami, KTMD-TV Houston, KXTX-TV Fort Worth, Tex., KVDA-TV San Antonio, Tex. and KSTS-TV San Francisco. Responde has followed up on 700 stories from 13,000 tips and recovered more than $1 million for viewers. The program has helped a Los Angeles woman who was owed nearly $1,000 after participating in a medical research project; a New York victim of identity theft whose bank would not credit him for an unauthorized charge; and a Dallas family living in the dark when their electric company refused to turn on their power for three weeks.

Univision’s “TeletonUSA” raised $15.5 million as more than 100 artists and the Hispanic community to come together for children with neuromusculoskeletal disabilities, cancer and autism. The telethon, held Dec. 12-13 with the theme “Corazones con Gente,” or Hearts for People, started in Miami but included live feeds in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Antonio. Funds will help more than 600 children from 38 states.

Univision’s Education Week 2014, held Oct. 4 - 11 across its 128 radio and TV stations and its multimedia platforms, included on-air segments; phone banks that answered more than 3,000 questions from viewers; and online college fairs. More than 2,000 viewers attended a free education fair in San Antonio on Oct. 4, which included exhibits and sessions on scholarships, financial aid, career planning and bilingual education. WLTV Miami’s Education Week events included "Camino a la Universidad," a workshop that educated 11th grade students and their parents on the steps needed for a college education; its 13th annual "Club de Libros 23," a Parent Academy with sessions on enrollment, financial aid and scholarships; and phone banks for questions on education.

Premiere Networks’ The Bobby Bones Show helped raised more than $150,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in honor of cast member Amy Brown’s mother Judy, who inspired the program’s Pimpin Joy campaign. The Pimpin Joy campaign encouraged listeners to perform random acts of kindness. After Judy lost her battle with cancer in October, her family asked that donations be made in her name to St. Jude. Initially, the Bobby Jones Show set a fundraising goal of $20,000. The final tally of $150,000 far surpassed this goal. The Bobby Bones Show raised an additional $60,000 for St. Jude during a benefit concert held on Nov. 18, bringing the November 2014 total raised for St. Jude to $210,000.

Seventy iHeartMedia radio stations broadcast The Concert for Valor, held on Veterans Day at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. More than 100,000 people attended the free concert to honor the courage and sacrifice of veterans and their families. Performers included Jack Black, The Black Keys, Bryan Cranston, Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Dave Grohl, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J., George Lopez, Metallica, John Oliver, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen and Carrie Underwood.

During the 2014 election season, radio and television broadcast stations across the country donated thousands of hours in free airtime to provide voters with critical information about the candidates and issues on the ballot on Election Day. In addition to providing news coverage of races for local, state and federal offices, local broadcasters also produced, aired and streamed scores of debates to help viewers and listeners make informed decisions at the polls. On Election Night, television and radio stations and networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, ABC News Radio, CBS Radio News, FOX News Radio and Salem Radio Network News replaced regular programming with wall-to-wall coverage of all the national, local and state-wide races.

"Our responsibility is to inform and educate the electorate and our stations have done a great job of cutting through the noise and providing viewers with the important information they need to know."In referring to Gannett Broadcasting’s commitment to election coverage," said Gannett Broadcasting President Dave Lougee.

"Broadcasters did a tremendous job this year in stepping up to the plate and providing voters with the valuable tools necessary to make informed choices about their elected representatives," said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. "Local radio and televisions’ stations exemplified broadcasters’ deeply held commitment to localism with this banner year for election coverage."

Gannett Broadcasting sponsored, hosted and aired 50 political debates nationwide, in addition to producing special news programs during the 2014 election season.

Gannett Broadcasting stations produced, aired and streamed over 50 debates across the country. Participating stations included CBS affiliate WMAZ-TV Macon, Ga., which hosted two debates between Georgia’s candidates for U.S. Senate and one debate featuring candidates for Georgia governor.

NBC affiliate KUSA-TV Denver’s "Balance of Power" program featured political analysis on critical issues and information on local and statewide candidates. "Balance of Power" aired monthly beginning in May and twice in October.

Entravision Communications Corporation hosted its seventh annual three-day radiothon for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This year’s event, themed "Un Million Para Los Niños" (One Million for the Children), kicked off on August 21, broadcasting live from the lobby of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to more than 69 cities across the country via Entravision’s syndicated radio programming, online and mobile platforms. Through its radiothon, Entravision helped raise $2.1 million for 24 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) launched its nationwide Semana de la Salud, or Health Week, August 23-30. Under its Univision Contigo health platform, the “Camino a la Salud” health tour had an overwhelming response. More than 8,000 people attended the health fairs and screenings in 10 markets. Univision’s local TV and Radio stations worked with organizations including the American Diabetes Association, Communicare Health Centers and the American Heart Association to inform communities about a variety of health issues related to lifestyle choices. The programs administered more than 6,000 free health assessments.

ESPN Radio hosted the 10th annual ESPN Radio ESPY Day Auction to benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research. ESPN Radio stations across the country encouraged listeners to visit eBay, the host auction site, to view the special auction items, including one-of-a-kind sporting experiences and all access tickets to several games. The event raised $1.2 million for cancer research.

CBS Television Network’s "CBS Cares" campaign and National Stroke Association partnered to raise awareness of the risk factors commonly associated with strokes and to highlight the groups that are most susceptible to strokes overall. Together they created three PSAs, which were broadcast on CBS Radio’s 126 major market stations. The campaign ran throughout May in support of National Stroke Awareness Month, and encouraged the public to fill out a Stroke Risk Scorecard and talk with their healthcare professional. To hear the radio PSAs and to learn more, click here.

President Barack Obama recently invited eight weather broadcasters to the White House to help raise awareness of the National Climate Assessment, a new report that explains how the warming climate is causing dramatic changes across the United States. The New York Times reports, "Polls show that local television weathercasters are among the most trusted media figures." Broadcasters who were invited included NBC’s Al Roker, and meteorologists from Gannett Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WLTX-TV Columbia, S.C., and NBC-owned WTVJ-TV Miami.

Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas noted in a recent floor speech, "One of the underappreciated groups I want to mention--they probably don’t get enough notoriety, even though this may sound kind of silly--is the TV weather people. As soon as the storms were in the area, they broke from their normal broadcasting and they went with wall-to-wall coverage. I talked to so many folks in Mayflower, Vilonia, and other areas [of Arkansas] who said, ’Hey, we watched on TV, and we could see exactly where that storm was, and that is what saved us because we knew it was coming.’"

In response to comments from Senator Pryor and other officials, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith stated, "I join with public safety officials, elected representatives and countless Americans in thanking local radio and television broadcasters in the South for their remarkable efforts to keep citizens informed and safe during the killer tornadoes and devastating rains this [past] week. As we’ve seen time and again, broadcasters take seriously our role as ’first informers’ during emergency situations and are committed to using all our resources at our fingertips to keep people safe from harm."

Entravision Launches Website for Moms and Moms-to-Be
Entravision recently launched Todobebé, a website focused on motherhood issues for Latinos in the U.S. and Latin America. Todobebé informs, educates and entertains Latino moms and moms-to-be as they celebrate and explore the joys and challenges of pregnancy through early childhood. Additionally, Vanessa Bernal, a reporter at Univision’s KCEC-TV Denver, will be the brand ambassador of Todobebé. Bernal will host special segments during Univision’s morning television show, "Despierta America," which will be featured on Entravision’s local television and radio newscasts.

Radio One’s network of stations partnered with other inspirational music stations to raise more than $1.3 million for kids fighting cancer, sickle cell and other deadly diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the seventh annual Radio Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon. "Gospel music’s message of faith and inspiration go hand-in-hand with the lifesaving work of St. Jude in providing help and hope to some of the world’s sickest children fighting for their lives," said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of St. Jude. "Thank you to Radio One, all of the volunteers, celebrity supporters and loyal listeners across the country for their continued support. Because of them, we are truly making a difference in the lives of kids everywhere."

Hearst Television recently announced it is renewing and expanding its biennial "Commitment 2014" pledge to devote extensive coverage of election discourse throughout 25 TV markets across the US this election year. Hearst Television will continue to provide a minimum of 12 minute of airtime in the 30 days leading up to the 2014 general election, at each of its 28 news stations. This year, the company is introducing an “In Their Own Words” feature inviting candidates to complete questionnaires and to record video statements on the issues, to be made available online and for mobile devices. These statements will be posted to the Hearst TV stations’ web and mobile sites serving the candidates’ regions in the 60 days prior to the election.

Syndicated Solutions’ "Rick & Bubba Show" created what they named the "World’s Largest Classroom" on March 4 to encourage children to read. The morning hosts read "Green Eggs and Ham" to more than 50,000 students as they broadcast live into 800 schools in at least 13 states. The event was created as part of the National Education Association’s Read Across America program, which challenges children to read a book on March 4 in recognition of the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Click here to watch video from the event.

Townsquare Media Group raised more than $1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the group’s first national Country Cares radiothon on March 6 and 7. Radio listeners from cities across the country, including Atlantic City, N.J; Owensboro, Ky.; Rockford, Ill.; and Tyler, Texas, tuned in to pledge their support to St. Jude by making a donation of $20 per month. During more than 26 hours of radio programming over two days, St. Jude patients shared their stories. Thanks to donations from Townsquare’s loyal listeners, patients’ families will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment helped raise $3 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the group’s annual Country Cares radio event on February 27 and 28. Stations in 31 cities hosted the two-day radiothon. "For the past 25 years, Clear Channel’s country stations have rallied together to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for St. Jude through the Country Cares program. Our local programming, promotions, and on-air staff work together to effectively convey to listeners the impact the hospital has in communities around the globe," said Clay Hunnicutt, EVP/GM national programming platforms for Clear Channel.

Clear Channel committed $1 million in air time for a campaign on heart disease throughout February, American Heart Month. Clear Channel partnered with the American Heart Association to highlight the Go Red for Women campaign, which included a fashion show featuring numerous celebrities. On Valentine’s Day, Clear Channel launched a PSA campaign to educate listeners on the symptoms of heart disease and stroke.

YMF Media announced it has donated $50,000 to the Youth Development Foundation that Hal Jackson started over 40 years ago. The Foundation awards scholarships and prizes to young women from around the world with performing talents. YMF media President Deon Levingston noted, "Since its inception, the foundation has changed the lives of many talented young women in our community, and donating to something so special to Hal keeps his legacy alive." Past scholarship recipients include Vanessa Williams, Jada Pinkett Smith and Cece Peniston.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America hosted the 2014 Golden Mike Award Dinner to support retired broadcasters in need. The annual fundraiser honored BMI President Del Bryant, who has spent 42 years at BMI. The dinner raised more than $200,000 for the Foundation.

CBS Radio partnered with Children’s Medical Center for the "2013 Christmas is for Children Radio." The eighth annual four-day event was supported by CBS Radio and broadcast live on KLUV-FM and KMVK-FM Dallas. The radiothon raised more than $1 million, and all of the funds raised will go to support patient care and hospital programs and services.

Entravision raised $1.4 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals during its 6th annual "Un Million Para Los Niños (One Million for the Children) Radiothon" in December. The three-day radiothon broadcast live from the lobby of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and was aired on numerous stations across the country, from Honolulu to New York City.

Syndicated radio program "The Bert Show" held the Big Thank You campaign to collect cards for military men and women serving in the armed forces, to ensure they received a thank you note from an American this Thanksgiving. This year the initiative collected 250,000 letters. Over the past four years, the syndicated radio show has collected and distributed more than 1.1 million letters.

Univision Communications Inc., in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and numerous national and local organizations, announced "Acción por la Educación!," an effort to create awareness of the Common Core State Standards and its impact on the Hispanic student population. Students and parents were encouraged to take a pledge to access information, create awareness with friends, speak with their child’s teacher about the new standards and learn how they can provide support at home. This effort is part of the company’s comprehensive, multiplatform education initiative, Univision Educación.

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s iHeartRadio Music Festival has raised $1 million for several nonprofits over the past three years. Benefiting organizations include the American Association of Cancer Research, the Alliance for Lupus Research, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. The event has also created many memories for critically ill children and their families through its partnership with Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Only 10 weeks remain to run NABâ€™s 2013 Congressional Public Service Announcements featuring your member of Congress. This year, a record 244 member of Congress and their families from 46 states are featured in NAB’s 2013 campaign. Click here to see if your member participated and to download the spots. The PSAs are available to air through the end of the year. This program is a great opportunity to provide valuable information to your viewers and listeners, while fostering relationships with Congress and reminding legislators of the enduring power of free and local broadcasting.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) raised $235,000 at its annual Celebrity Golf Tournament. This year, the tournament raised 18 percent more than last year. BFOA expects to provide more than $850,000 to broadcasters in need over the next year.

CBS Radio has teamed with the CBS EcoMedia program to provide more than $170,000 in financial support to children through Blessings in a Backpack, an organization that works to ensure elementary school children are fed during the weekend while they are away from school. Blessings in a Backpack collects and packages backpacks full of food and distributes them on Fridays to children who qualify for the National School Lunch Program. Participating CBS stations include those in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston and Philadelphia.

Univision Communications, Inc. and TeletónUSA Foundation wrapped their seven-city "Tour of Giving" in San Antonio, joined by Texas Governor Rick Perry and Mayor Julian Castro, with the laying of a cornerstone at a $17 million new children’s rehabilitation center. The "Tour of Giving" continued as $15.2 million in donor gifts were put into action to develop and renovate some of the most modern and necessary medical programs and facilities in the nation. The "Tour" aimed to shed light on the importance of medical programs and facilities that will provide a better future for U.S. children with disabilities, cancer and autism. Other stops on the "Tour of Giving" included Miami, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis and Boston. Click here to read more.

The ABC Network broadcast the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 48th annual "Show of Strength Telethon" on September 1 and raised more than $59.6 million in pledges. All contributions will support the treatment of muscular dystrophy and related diseases, and provide funding for research to find a cure. The two-hour event featured stories of those who are battling muscular dystrophy and appearances by numerous celebrities and entertainers including Ryan Seacrest, Florence Henderson, the Backstreet Boys and Paula Abdul.

ESPN Radio hosted the 9th annual "Don’t Give Up ESPYS V Foundation Auction," which raises money and awareness for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The on-air and online auction included autographed apparel, footballs, baseballs, basketballs and other sporting "experiences," such as a tour of an ESPN radio station with a radio personality. This year the auction raised more than $781,000. ESPN Radio has raised more than $6.5 million to fund cancer research since the first event.

NBC Sports Radio hosted the 24th annual American Century Championship, a golf tournament that raises money for several local and national charities. This year featured several sports and entertainment celebrities, including several NBC Sports Radio personalities. Proceeds from this year’s tournament benefit the Expect Miracles Foundation and the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. To date, the charity golf tournament has raised more than $4 million.

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment plans to spend $75 million on iHeartRadio’s ShowYourStripes.org, which connects businesses and job-seeking veterans. Elton John, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Ryan Seacrest, Trace Adkins and LL Cool J recorded PSAs featuring stories from veterans who successfully found jobs. Clarkson highlights Jeff Marshall, a 10-year member of the U.S. Air Force special operations command who now works in online operations at Facebook.

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s "Bobby Bones Show" raised $135,060 for the American Red Cross tornado relief effort. The show held an online auction that sold personal items, concert tickets and signed memorabilia donated by 60 country music stars. Country music labels Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records, Black River Entertainment and Big Machine Label Group donated $5,000 each.

NBC hosted the Healing in the Heartland benefit concert featuring Blake Shelton and special guests Miranda Lambert, Usher, Reba, Darius Ruker and others. The program also aired on Clear Channel and Cumulus stations across the country. The concert raised more than $6 million in pledges and ticket sales to help Oklahomans affected by the May 20 tornado. All proceeds went to the United Way of Central Oklahoma.

Cox Enterprises donated $1 million to relief efforts in Oklahoma, including a $500,000 donation to the American Red Cross and $500,000 of public service announcements and other in-kind support. "In this difficult time of recovery and rebuilding, our hearts go out to the families affected by the tornadoes," said Cox Oklahoma’s Percy Kirk. Cox’s local media properties in Tulsa are also hosting a series of fundraisers.

Hearst’s TV stations across the country have followed KOCO-TV Oklahoma City’s lead in raising money for relief efforts in Oklahoma. Since the storms, Hearst stations in Omaha, Kansas City, Sacramento, Baltimore and many other cities have raised $1 million and collected tons of emergency supplies. "The tragic tornado of Moore, Oklahoma is another reminder of the critical public service role of local broadcast television stations," said Hearst Television Inc. President Jordan Wertlieb.

Cumulus radio’s 525 stations have donated at least $3.7 million for the victims of the Oklahoma tornado. The Cumulus fundraising efforts included a one-hour fundraising special on all 84 Cumulus country stations and support for the Healing in the Heartland benefit concert to aid victims through The United Way of Central Oklahoma.

Local broadcasters saved countless lives with continuous coverage and safety information as tornadoes ravaged Oklahoma. Oklahoma Broadcasters Association President Vance Harrison told Inside Radio that he is "proud to be a broadcaster," as "the experience of the weather forecasters saved countless lives in what will be the single largest tornado in our history." Griffin Communication’s KWTV captured images of the damage via helicopter 15 minutes after the tornado passed, beating rescuers to some areas and spurring the disaster to the top of the national news. "The live pictures and information, almost universally praised by viewers from afar who saw it online and on cable news channels, reminded some of the enduring value of local broadcasters at a time when apps and social networks tend to get more attention," Brian Stelter wrote in the New York Times. Oklahoma governor Mary Fallin thanked broadcasters in her post-storm press conference, saying, "the media has done a superb job over the last couple of days of keeping people informed about the current weather conditions, especially our weathermen and those that have been on the ground driving and calling and tracking the storm itself." Broadcasting & Cable’s John Eggerton wrote that she "essentially echoed a point that is made periodically whenever informing the public becomes not just a matter of FCC public interest obligations, but one of life and death."

On Monday, April 15, two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three and injuring more than 200 people. Local television and radio broadcasters provided outstanding wall-to-wall coverage. Politico reported that President Obama got his news from local Boston stations Sunbeam’s WHDH-TV and Hearst Television’s WCVB-TV. Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said coverage on Boston’s local stations was "largely professional, measured and superior to what the cable and [broadcast] networks had to offer... [T]he best coverage could be found on local TV in Boston, which was available online via Web streams." The Boston Herald praised broadcasters, noting that WHDH-TV’s Adam Williams reported on the air while the two suspects and police exchanged 200 rounds of gunfire.

LIN Media has established the Minority Scholarship and Training Program and will award one broadcast television scholarship/internship and one digital media scholarship/internship in April 2013, to commence in summer 2013. Each student will receive a two-year scholarship for up to $10,000 per year, which can be used toward school expenses. In addition, LIN Media will provide each student with hands-on training through a paid internship program at one of its television stations around the country. The Minority Scholarship recipients will be assigned full-time positions at LIN Media upon graduation and successful completion of the training program. LIN Media has been awarding these two-year scholarships to ambitious students since 1998.